Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation WUTAN DAJI have recorded a major operational success following a coordinated clearance mission in Kumbodoro Forest and Kumbodoro Village in Bauchi State, dealing a significant blow to bandit networks in the area.
The operation, conducted by personnel of the 33 Artillery Brigade with support from the Air Component, targeted known criminal hideouts, including the notorious Azuge camps within the Kumbodoro Forest axis. During the offensive, several bandits were neutralised, while key enclaves and operational bases were dismantled, weakening the capacity of the criminals to carry out attacks.
In the course of the operation, troops successfully rescued eight kidnapped victims, marking a major relief for affected communities.
A thorough sweep of the cleared enclaves led to the recovery of a cache of arms and equipment. Items recovered include four skeletal rifles, four dane guns, one FN rifle magazine, and one AK-47 magazine, alongside communication devices and other operational tools used by the bandits.
Additional items found at the scene include boots, helmets, a power bank, a StarTimes decoder, mobile phones, radio chargers, ATM cards, arrows, photographs, an identity card, as well as security agency uniforms and leg chains, indicating the scale and organisation of the criminal network.
In a related development, troops deployed at Duguri, acting on credible intelligence and in collaboration with local vigilantes, recovered 36 cows at Mushen Kura Village. The livestock are believed to have been abandoned by fleeing bandits due to sustained military pressure. Efforts are ongoing to identify the rightful owners and facilitate their return.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace and stability across all theatres of operation, emphasising the use of intelligence-driven strategies, joint operations, and community collaboration to deny criminal elements any safe haven.
