Troops Neutralise 24 Bandits, Rescue 194 Hostages
The Nigerian Army’s 1 Division and Sector 1 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have recorded significant operational successes in their ongoing counter-banditry and counter-terrorism campaign across parts of the North-West and North-Central regions, neutralising 24 bandits, rescuing 194 kidnapped victims, and arresting 36 suspects during the first quarter of 2026.
The achievements underscore the formation’s sustained efforts to combat banditry, kidnapping, attacks on rural communities, and threats to critical national infrastructure through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic operations.
The Chief of Staff, 1 Division Nigerian Army and Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Brig.-Gen. Timothy Opurum, disclosed the operational gains during an interaction with defence correspondents in Kaduna on behalf of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division and Commander, Sector 1 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Maj.-Gen. Muhammed Wase.
According to military authorities, 1 Division remains one of the Nigerian Army’s most strategically important formations, with operational responsibilities spanning Kaduna, Kano and Niger states. The formation oversees several combat and support units, including formations in Kano and Niger States, the 26 Armoured Brigade, the 24 Reconnaissance Battalion, and six operational subsectors.
At the heart of the Division’s operational strategy is the coordinated deployment of ground and air assets against armed bandits and terrorist elements operating within its area of responsibility.
Throughout the period under review, troops maintained an aggressive operational tempo through intelligence-led fighting patrols, ambushes, raids, clearance operations and targeted offensives aimed at dismantling criminal networks and denying them freedom of movement.
Military authorities stated that these operations were designed to disrupt logistics routes, destroy criminal hideouts, and prevent attacks on communities and strategic national assets.
Operational records presented during the briefing showed that troops successfully rescued 194 kidnapped victims from various locations across the theatre. The victims regained their freedom following coordinated intelligence-driven missions conducted in difficult and remote terrains.
The military noted that the successful rescue operations not only denied criminal groups potential ransom proceeds but also reunited victims with their families and restored confidence among affected communities.
In addition, troops arrested 36 suspected bandits and collaborators believed to have provided logistics, intelligence and other forms of support to criminal groups operating in the region.
According to the GOC, dismantling support networks remains a critical aspect of counter-banditry operations, as criminal groups often depend on informants, suppliers and local facilitators to sustain their activities.
The Division also recorded notable battlefield successes, with 24 terrorists and violent extremists neutralised during various engagements, ambushes and clearance operations across the operational theatre.
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Military authorities said the elimination of the suspects has significantly degraded the operational capabilities of criminal groups in several flashpoints within the Division’s area of responsibility.
The operations further yielded substantial recoveries of weapons and ammunition. Troops recovered more than 1,200 rounds of ammunition, 1,212 assorted ammunition cartridges and 28 magazines from criminal elements during the period under review.
The military emphasised that every weapon and round of ammunition recovered from the battlefield reduces the firepower available to criminal groups and contributes to the protection of innocent civilians.
The recoveries, officials added, also reflect the effectiveness of intelligence gathering and follow-up exploitation operations conducted after military engagements.
Beyond combat operations, the Division recorded significant gains in disrupting the economic lifelines of criminal networks.
Troops recovered more than 2,000 rustled livestock, which were subsequently returned to their rightful owners. The military noted that cattle rustling remains a major source of funding for criminal groups operating in parts of Northern Nigeria.
By recovering the stolen livestock, troops not only inflicted financial losses on criminal elements but also helped restore the livelihoods of affected rural communities.
The Division also recovered N874,625 suspected to be proceeds of criminal activities, alongside communication devices, motorcycles and other equipment used by criminal groups for mobility, coordination and logistics.
Military authorities stressed that targeting the financial resources of criminal organisations remains essential to weakening their capacity to recruit members, procure weapons and sustain operations.
The protection of critical national infrastructure also remained a key component of the Division’s mandate during the period under review.
The operational area of 1 Division includes strategic assets such as the Kainji Hydroelectric Dam, power generation facilities and the Abuja-Kaduna railway corridor. Troops maintained enhanced security coverage around these installations to prevent sabotage and other threats from criminal and terrorist groups.
According to the military, safeguarding these assets is crucial to national security, economic stability, energy generation and transportation.
In line with the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy, the Division also intensified non-kinetic engagements aimed at strengthening collaboration with communities and other stakeholders.
Military authorities said the formation deepened cooperation with sister services, intelligence agencies and other security organisations, leading to improved intelligence sharing, joint planning and coordinated operations.
As part of these efforts, the Division organised the Second Edition of the Security Stakeholders Engagement Forum in Kaduna State, bringing together security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to discuss emerging security challenges and collective responses.
The military believes that such engagements have strengthened public trust and encouraged communities to provide actionable intelligence, which has contributed significantly to recent operational successes across the theatre.
By PRNigeria
