Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a coordinated offensive against armed bandit groups in northwest Nigeria, troops of the 8 Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army have successfully neutralised five suspected bandits and seized critical assets used in criminal operations across parts of Sokoto and Zamfara States. The action, confirmed by military and security sources on Friday, 19 December 2025, underscores continued efforts by the armed forces to dismantle bandit networks that have terrorised rural communities and hindered social and economic activity in the region.
According to a credible source quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the offensive began on Wednesday with a carefully planned sweep targeting notorious hideouts of criminal elements in several villages within Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Troops advanced through Gangara, Makawana, Satiru, Baici and Kurkusu, disrupting established bandit camps and forcing many armed men to flee as the military asserted control over these troubled terrains.
The operation later extended into Batatna village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where soldiers encountered heavy resistance from the bandits. In the ensuing engagements, troops managed to neutralise five of the armed criminals. Security personnel recovered several items linked to the bandits’ activities, including motorcycles — a primary means of mobility for bandit gangs — and Baofeng communication radios, which are commonly used to coordinate attacks and evade security forces.
The seizure of motorcycles and radios is significant; such equipment has long been exploited by armed groups to conduct raids, ambushes and kidnappings across remote rural areas of northwest Nigeria. Motorcycles, in particular, have been a central feature of bandit operations, allowing fighters to navigate difficult terrain swiftly.
Military sources recalled that the 8 Division troops had previously achieved notable successes in the region, including the neutralisation of suspected bandit kingpins such as Kachalla Kallamu and Kachalla Na’Allah in parts of Sokoto State, further disrupting entrenched criminal networks. Residents and local security stakeholders have commended the Nigerian Army’s sustained operations, which have relieved pressure on vulnerable communities and enhanced safety along rural transit routes.
The coordinated attacks on bandit bases and subsequent recoveries form part of a broader anti-banditry strategy that includes intelligence-led patrols, community engagement, and kinetic operations aimed at depriving criminal groups of their operational freedom and logistical support. By asserting control over key bandit enclaves and curbing their ability to stage raids, the military’s actions are integral to stabilising security in areas long affected by violent crime.
Security analysts say that such operations, while tactical in nature, contribute to larger strategic goals of denying bandit networks safe havens and interrupting their mobility and communications capabilities. The recovery of Baofeng radios alongside motorcycles marks a blow to the bands’ on-the-ground coordination and highlights the effectiveness of coordinated ground offensives in degrading criminal infrastructure.
Local leaders and residents in affected communities have expressed optimism that continued pressure by the Nigerian Army and other security agencies will further reduce insecurity, enabling displaced persons to return home and farmers to resume agricultural activities without threat of attack. The ongoing operations are expected to extend into additional hotspots along the Sokoto–Zamfara axis, where banditry has been a persistent challenge.
As military efforts persist, authorities emphasise that civilian cooperation with security forces remains vital, urging community members to report suspicious activities and support intelligence gathering that can lead to further breakthroughs against criminal elements in the northwest.
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