Army Destroys Bandit Camps in Bauchi, Rescues Hostages, Recovers Weapons

Troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade under Operation WUTAN DAJI have recorded a major operational success after conducting a coordinated clearance operation in Kumbodoro Forest and Kumbodoro Village in Bauchi State.

According to a statement shared on the Nigerian Army’s official Facebook page, the offensive dealt a significant setback to bandit networks operating within the area.

The report indicated that troops successfully cleared several bandit enclaves, including the notorious Azuge camps located within the Kumbodoro Forest axis. Supported by the Air Component, the troops neutralised a number of bandits and dismantled key operational bases, thereby weakening the criminals’ ability to threaten lives and property.

During the operation, eight kidnapped victims were rescued.

A comprehensive search of the bandits’ hideouts 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 materials.

Other items found at the scene include two pairs of boots, three helmets, a power bank, a StarTimes decoder, QJC meta links, a jackknife, six mobile phones, arrows, radio chargers, OPAY ATM cards, photographs, an identity card, several security agency uniforms, and leg chains.

In a related development, troops deployed at Duguri, acting on credible intelligence, recovered 36 cows at Mushen Kura Village in collaboration with local vigilantes. The livestock are believed to have been abandoned by fleeing bandits due to sustained military pressure.

Efforts are currently ongoing to identify the rightful owners and return the recovered animals.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace and stability across the country, noting that it will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations and strategic collaborations to eliminate banditry and other criminal activities.