By Joy Yesufu
The Headquarters, 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, has intensified its counter-banditry operations in Zamfara State, recording major successes, including the neutralisation of 85 suspected bandits, the rescue of 283 kidnapped victims, and the recovery of a large cache of arms, ammunition and motorcycles used by criminal groups.
The Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Mustapha Jimoh, disclosed the achievements during an operational briefing, saying the gains were recorded through sustained intelligence-driven kinetic and non-kinetic operations conducted across the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
According to him, the operations have significantly weakened the operational capabilities of armed groups operating in Zamfara while improving security for residents, farmers and commuters.
Jimoh said troops also destroyed several terrorist camps, logistics bases and command hideouts during coordinated clearance operations, denying criminal elements safe havens from which to launch attacks.
Giving a breakdown of the Brigade’s recent operational achievements, he said troops recovered 46 AK-47 rifles, one PKT machine gun, two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), three Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers, six locally fabricated rifles, as well as large quantities of ammunition.
He added that security forces also recovered 144 motorcycles allegedly used by bandits for mobility, logistics and attacks, describing the seizure as a major setback for the criminal networks.
The Brigade Commander disclosed that the rescued victims comprised women, children, students and other civilians who had been abducted by armed gangs across different parts of the state.
He further revealed that rustled livestock recovered during the operations had been returned to their owners, helping affected families rebuild their livelihoods while restoring public confidence in security forces.
Jimoh explained that the Brigade had sustained area domination through offensive clearance operations, fighting patrols, ambushes, long-range patrols, cordon-and-search operations and rapid response missions across identified flashpoints.
He noted that the Brigade, working alongside other components of the Armed Forces, security agencies and relevant stakeholders, had intensified intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling terrorist and bandit networks, recovering weapons and restoring civil authority in affected communities.
The Brigade Commander described Zamfara as one of Nigeria’s major security flashpoints due to its vast forest reserves, difficult terrain and proximity to neighbouring states, which criminal elements exploit for movement, logistics and concealment.
He traced the evolution of insecurity in the North-West, noting that what began as cattle rustling had developed into organised criminal networks involved in kidnapping for ransom, attacks on communities, highway ambushes and assaults on security personnel.
According to him, the proliferation of illicit small arms, weak governance in remote communities and the existence of expansive forest corridors enabled armed groups to establish operational bases in forests such as Kuyambana, Kagara, Kamuku and Sununu.
“As the security situation deteriorated, some of these criminal groups adopted tactics associated with terrorist organisations, including coordinated attacks on communities, the use of improvised explosive devices, sophisticated weapons and deliberate intimidation of civilian populations,” he said.
Jimoh said the Federal Government subsequently designated several of the groups as terrorist organisations, strengthening the legal and operational framework for military action against them.
He explained that Headquarters 1 Brigade oversees military operations in Zamfara and Kebbi states, noting that while Kebbi remains relatively peaceful, Zamfara continues to experience persistent attacks linked to banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling, particularly in its central and western senatorial districts.
To sustain operational dominance, he said the Brigade had established Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), combat locations, checkpoints and fighting patrols across vulnerable communities to ensure rapid response to emerging threats.
Despite the operational challenges posed by the vast forests and rugged terrain, Jimoh said sustained intelligence-led operations had considerably degraded the capabilities of criminal groups, leading to improved freedom of movement for residents and safer conditions for farming, commerce and other socio-economic activities.
He assured that the Brigade would continue to intensify offensive operations while strengthening collaboration with other security agencies and local communities to achieve lasting peace in Zamfara and Kebbi states.
“The evolving nature of the threat requires sustained military operations, credible intelligence, responsible media engagement and continuous support from local communities to achieve enduring peace and security,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting lives and property, restoring civil authority and creating a secure environment for socio-economic development across the Brigade’s area of responsibility.
