Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Troops of the Headquarters 17 Brigade, deployed at Combat Team 3 in Damari village, Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, have neutralised an armed terrorist and recovered a cache of weapons during a fighting patrol conducted on Thursday, May 21, 2026. The operation, which took place along the Dandume-Damari road in Gamji village, was part of the ongoing dry season offensive codenamed Operation Forest Sanity 4, designed to rid the North-West of bandits and terrorists and to restore confidence among farmers as the rainy season approaches. According to military sources, troops on patrol sighted a terrorist on a motorcycle and immediately gave chase. The suspect was neutralised in the ensuing engagement, and troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine containing an unspecified quantity of live ammunition, one motorcycle, and one Itel brand mobile phone.
The successful operation underscores the military’s determination to sustain pressure on criminal elements who have long terrorised communities in Katsina State, particularly in the Sabuwa, Dandume, and Faskari axes, which have been hotspots for banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling. For months, these areas have experienced a surge in attacks, with bandits imposing illegal levies on villages, abducting farmers, and disrupting agricultural activities. The launch of Operation Forest Sanity 4 marks an intensification of the military’s counter‑insurgency campaign in the North-West, with a specific focus on clearing forest hideouts, disrupting logistics networks, and protecting rural populations as they prepare for the planting season.
“Troops aggressively pursued the terrorist, neutralised him and captured one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine containing some quantities of ammunition,” a military source told Stone Reporters News. “Additionally, troops exploited the general area and captured one motorcycle and recovered one mobile phone. It is worthy to note that troops did not record any casualty nor lose any equipment.” The absence of friendly casualties in this operation highlights the effectiveness of the troops’ tactics and their ability to outmanoeuvre and neutralise armed threats without suffering losses.
The recovered items have been taken into custody for further investigation. The mobile phone is expected to be analysed for intelligence leads, potentially revealing the terrorist’s communication network, accomplices, and planned operations. The motorcycle, a common mode of transport for bandits operating in the rugged terrain of the North-West, will be impounded. The successful operation was carried out under the broader framework of Operation Hadarin Daji, the military’s comprehensive campaign against banditry and terrorism in the North-West and North-Central zones.
The military’s reassurance to the people of Katsina State is timely. As the rainy season sets in, farmers who had abandoned their lands due to persistent attacks are now being encouraged to return. The military has promised to maintain the momentum of its offensive to ensure that farming and other economic activities can thrive without fear. “Troops reassured the good people of Katsina State that they will continue to do their best in order to ensure that the State remains safe so that farming and other economic activities thrive,” the statement concluded.
Katsina State has been one of the states hardest hit by banditry, with attacks on rural communities leading to deaths, abductions, and the displacement of thousands. In recent months, the state government, under Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, has implemented a multi‑pronged strategy that combines military operations, community policing, and peace negotiations with bandits. However, the persistence of attacks has led to widespread frustration among residents. The military’s ongoing operations, including Forest Sanity 4, are seen as critical to reversing the tide of insecurity.
The neutralisation of a terrorist and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle is a modest but significant victory. Each weapon seized is a potential life saved, and each terrorist eliminated is a reduction in the capacity of criminal networks to inflict harm. The troops of 17 Brigade have demonstrated that they remain vigilant and ready to respond to threats, even as the terrain becomes more challenging with the onset of rains. The message from the military is clear: the offensive will continue, and no terrorist will be allowed to disrupt the peace and livelihood of the people of Katsina State.
As the sun set on Sabuwa Local Government Area on Thursday, the people of Gamji village and surrounding communities breathed a little easier. One terrorist is no longer a threat. One AK‑47 rifle is no longer in the wrong hands. But the work is far from over. The military has promised to sustain the pressure, and for the farmers who hope to till their lands in peace, that promise cannot come soon enough.
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