Troops Smash Bandit Strongholds In Bauchi, Rescue Hostages, Recover Arms

Troops of 33 Artillery Brigade under Operation WUTAN DAJI have recorded a significant operational success following a coordinated clearance operation in Kumbodoro Forest and Kumbodoro Village in Bauchi State.

According to a statement posted on the verified Facebook of the Nigerian Army on Tuesday, the offensive operation dealt a major blow to bandit networks operating within the area.

Troops successfully cleared multiple bandit enclaves, including the notorious Azuge camps within the Kumbodoro Forest axis. Supported by the Air Component, the troops neutralised several bandits and dismantled thier key operational bases, further degrading the criminals’ capability to threaten lives and property of citizens. The operation led to the rescue of eight kidnap victims.

A thorough search of the bandits enclave led to the recovery of cache of arms and equipment, including four skeletal rifles, four dane guns, one FN rifle magazine, one AK-47 magazine, as well as communication devices and other operational items.

Other recovered items included two pairs of boots, three helmets, one power bank, one StarTimes decoder, QJC meta links, one jackknife, six mobile handsets, arrows, radio chargers, OPAY ATM cards, photographs, an identity card, several pairs of security agency uniforms and leg chains.

Relatedly, troops deployed at Duguri, while acting on credible intelligence, recovered 36 cows at Mushen Kura Village in collaboration with local vigilantes. The livestock were believed to have been abandoned by fleeing bandits due to sustained military pressure. Efforts were ongoing to identify and return the animals to their rightful owners.

The statement said the Nigerian Army remained resolute in its mission to restore peace and stability across all theatres of operation, leveraging intelligence-driven operations, joint force synergy and strategic partnerships to deny bandits and terrorists any safe haven.