Army, NAF Dismantle Terrorist Strongholds in Shiroro, Diffuse IEDs in Major Offensive
Troops of the 1 Division, Nigerian Army, have cleared multiple settlements in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and sustaining pressure on insurgent elements in a major operation aimed at securing the North Central region.
Sources said the clearance operation, which commenced on January 20, was conducted under challenging conditions, including difficult terrain and a series of vehicle breakdowns involving Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and Armoured Fighting Vehicles.
Despite the setbacks, the troops advanced and successfully cleared several communities, including Galadima Kogo, Danpkala, Angwan Shawo, Kaure, Onagbi, Iburo, Kudogo, Kori, Kampani Kpakari, Chigwamya, Chikuba, and Nabwi.
At Nabwi, the troops encountered a roadside IED followed by hostile fire from insurgents. The device was neutralized and the attackers were forced to withdraw after the troops responded with superior firepower.
The operation was supported by the Nigerian Air Force, which provided close air support, while unmanned aerial vehicles deployed by the Niger State Government assisted with real-time monitoring and reconnaissance.
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Military sources said the operation carries significant strategic importance, as Shiroro Local Government Area has long served as a key operational hub for Boko Haram splinter groups, including Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) and ANSARU elements.
According to the sources, the groups—led in the Northwest and North Central zones by senior lieutenants such as Saddiku, Umar Taraba, Kabiru Doctor, and Mamman Kabir—have expanded their operations by exporting IED-making expertise and staging attacks across parts of Niger, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Kogi states.
Their presence in the Allawa–Madawaki axis and surrounding settlements reportedly enabled them to establish clandestine cells, smuggle weapons, and impose informal taxation on local communities.
Military authorities emphasized that sustained clearance operations, backed by intelligence-led surveillance and strong coordination with air assets, remain critical to denying insurgents freedom of movement.
“The ongoing operations in Shiroro will not only restore civilian confidence but also prevent Boko Haram and its splinter cells from consolidating influence along strategic corridors linking the Northeast to the Northwest and North Central regions,” a military source said.
By PRNigeria
