Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigerian Army troops have dealt a significant blow to banditry in the North‑West following a coordinated ground and air offensive that neutralised scores of armed criminals and dismantled a key terror network led by notorious kingpin Gwaska Dan Karmi, military sources said. The operation was confirmed in statements issued by the Army on Sunday, as part of ongoing efforts under Operation FANSAN YAMMA to restore security to volatile areas across the region.
According to the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the offensive targeted a major bandit enclave in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where intelligence indicated that more than 100 fighters loyal to Dan Karmi had convened to plan large‑scale raids on neighbouring communities and military logistics routes. After days of sustained surveillance, troops of the 8 Division Nigerian Army, supported by air assets from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), launched a coordinated assault on the camp on January 31, 2026.
Military officials said the attack evolved into a fierce firefight as bandits attempted to flank and encircle the advancing soldiers. The superior training, tactical coordination and firepower of the Nigerian Army overwhelmed the militants, resulting in numerous bandits being neutralised. Those who survived reportedly fled the scene with gunshot wounds, with follow‑on interdiction missions by the air force aimed at tracking fleeing elements and preventing regrouping. The camp itself was destroyed and set ablaze before troops withdrew tactically to primary positions.
Operational sources described Dan Karmi’s network as a well‑entrenched criminal ecosystem that had been responsible for multiple kidnappings, raids and extortion schemes that destabilised local communities and disrupted essential supply routes across parts of Zamfara, Sokoto and neighbouring states. The network had used forest enclaves as logistical bases and sanctuaries, enabling coordinated attacks on villagers and commuters.
Lieutenant Colonel Osoba acknowledged that the operation came at a cost. Several Nigerian soldiers lost their lives in the intense engagement with the bandits, and at least one military vehicle was hit by a rocket‑propelled grenade and destroyed. The Army paid tribute to the fallen personnel, affirming that their sacrifices would not go in vain as part of broader efforts to degrade bandit and terror networks in the region.
“The Nigerian Army honours the gallantry and sacrifice of our fallen heroes. Their courage has significantly degraded bandit networks in this region,” Osoba said, emphasising that troop morale remains high and that operations would continue to disrupt criminal supply chains and deny armed groups freedom of action.
The raid is one of several recent offensives aimed at dismantling organised crime groups that have terrorised communities in Nigeria’s north‑west. Security analysts have noted an uptick in military operations under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, which incorporates joint land and air engagements to suppress banditry, protect vulnerable populations and restore governance in areas long contested by violent non‑state actors.
In addition to ground forces, the Nigerian Air Force has been credited with conducting interdiction missions to prevent bandits from regrouping in forested regions that have historically served as staging grounds for attacks. These missions complement ground troop advances and help reduce the ability of militants to redeploy or resupply after major confrontations.
The destruction of Dan Karmi’s camp and the neutralisation of his fighters represent a tactical success for the Nigerian military, but officials caution that eliminating entrenched networks will require sustained operations and intelligence sharing across security agencies. The military reiterated its commitment to maintaining pressure on bandit groups and ensuring that liberated territories remain secure and resistant to return threats.
Communities in affected states have endured years of insecurity marked by abductions, killings and economic disruption. The government’s intensified military posture is aimed at increasing civilian safety, facilitating agricultural and commercial activities, and reducing the incentives for criminal groups to flourish in ungoverned spaces.
As the situation continues to evolve, the Nigerian Army has pledged transparency in its operations and reaffirmed its dedication to protecting lives and property across the North‑West, even as it mourns the loss of soldiers who fell in the recent offensive.
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