The Nigerian Army has intensified its offensive against bandit groups in Bauchi State, recording major successes in ongoing clearance operations across identified criminal hideouts.

Troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade, working in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), carried out a coordinated operation in the Dajin Madam Forest, where several bandit camps were overrun. Among the camps cleared were the notorious Azuge and Hari enclaves, significantly disrupting criminal activities in the area.

During the operation, a number of bandits were neutralized, while others fled under sustained military pressure. Troops also took into custody 19 family members of the bandits, comprising six women and 13 children. Several motorcycles used by the criminals for movement were destroyed, further weakening their operational capacity.

Security forces recovered a cache of items from the camps, including an AK-47 magazine, packs of tramadol, a police uniform, multiple military uniforms, and two horses. The recovered items, according to military sources, highlight the group’s involvement in criminal activities and attempts to impersonate security personnel.

Troops have since established a firm hold in the Dajin Madam Forest to consolidate gains and prevent the return of fleeing bandits.

In a related development, soldiers conducted a follow-up clearance operation in Mainamaji, exploiting gains made after recent airstrikes on bandit hideouts. The operation recorded no contact with criminal elements, an indication that sustained military pressure has significantly degraded bandit presence in the area.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining momentum in the offensive until peace and security are fully restored, urging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.