… Eliminate 5 high-profile bandit kingpins, capture massive weapon in Zamfara State.
Troops of 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have dealt a crippling blow to terrorists and their elements who invaded Talata Mafara and Kaura Namoda Local Government Areas on May 1,2025.
The Brigade stated in a statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations Captain Suleiman Omale that troops recorded a significant breakthrough In a meticulously coordinated counter-terrorism operation
across Zamfara State.
Giving account of what happened,.he said , “At the break of dawn on 1 May 2025, troops of Combat Team 6, while on a fighting patrol, engaged a large heavily armed terrorists who had invaded Mai Kwanugga village in Talata Mafara LGA.
“The terrorists, who had unleashed mayhem by attacking innocent civilians and razing homes, were decisively engaged in a fierce and well-coordinated firefight.
“The encounter resulted in the neutralization of several insurgents, including five high-profile bandit kingpins who were later identified by villagers as : “Auta Jijji, Dankali, Sagidi, Kachallah Rijaji and Kachallah Suza.”
According to him, the intensity of the fight prompted reinforcements from the Brigade Quick Response Force and the Brigade Special Forces also pursued the retreating terrorists, leading to the successful recovery of a formidable cache of arms and ammunition,
The cache of arms and ammunition, recovered included: 4 x AK-47 Rifles,
1 x PKT General Purpose Machine Gun,
2 x Rocket-Propelled Grenade Launchers,
6 x Rocket-Propelled Grenade Bombs,
28 x 7.62mm Special Rounds and 43 x PKT Ammunition Rounds.
He also said that in a follow-up exploitation operation conducted on May 2, 2025, community members voluntarily handed over additional weapons recovered and provided actionable intelligence and confirmed the identities and fatalities of the neutralized terrorist commanders.
The success of the operation was significantly enabled by the proactive cooperation of local residents, whose timely and credible reports were instrumental to the swift military response, he said..
He added that the offensive, which focused on Talata Mafara and Kaura Namoda Local Government Areas, underscores the NA’s sustained commitment to dismantling terrorists strongholds and restoring peace to affected communities.
Commending the gallantry and professionalism of the troops, the Commander 1 Brigade, Brigadier General Timothy Opurum, commended the troops for their courage and operational dexterity.
He lauded the patriotic conduct of the local populace and reaffirmed the unwavering resolve of the military to protecting lives, safeguard properties, and rid Zamfara State of all criminal elements.
He further urged the citizens to remain vigilant and to continue providing reliable information to security agencies.