1 Brigade dismantles terrorist camps, seizes heavy weapons in sustained Zamfara offensive

1 Brigade dismantles terrorist camps, seizes heavy weapons in sustained Zamfara offensive

By Zagazola Makama

The Headquarters 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, has intensified its offensive against terrorist and bandit networks in Zamfara State, dismantling several camps and command hideouts, recovering heavy weapons and large quantities of ammunition, while significantly degrading the operational capabilities of criminal groups operating across the state.

The Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Mustapha Jimoh, said the successes were achieved through sustained intelligence-driven kinetic and non-kinetic operations conducted in collaboration with other components of the Armed Forces, security agencies and critical stakeholders.

Jimoh said the operations were designed to deny criminal elements freedom of action by targeting their command structures, logistics bases and mobility corridors across the brigade’s Area of Responsibility.

According to him, troops destroyed several terrorist camps and operational hideouts during clearance operations, thereby denying armed groups safe havens from which they planned and launched attacks against communities.

“As part of these operations, troops recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition that significantly reduced the firepower available to the terrorists and bandits,” he said.

The Brigade Commander disclosed that troops recovered 46 AK-47 rifles, one PKT machine gun, two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), three Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers, and six locally fabricated rifles from the criminal elements.

He added that troops also recovered 48 AK-47 magazines, one handgun magazine, one locally fabricated rifle magazine, and large quantities of ammunition during various operations.

According to Jimoh, the recoveries dealt a major blow to the operational capability of the armed groups by disrupting their access to weapons and logistics.

He further revealed that troops recovered 144 motorcycles, which he described as one of the major logistical assets used by terrorists and bandits to move fighters, transport weapons and launch attacks across difficult terrain.

“The recovery of these motorcycles has considerably disrupted the mobility and logistics network of criminal elements operating within our area of responsibility,” he said.

Jimoh explained that Headquarters 1 Brigade conducts continuous intelligence-led offensive operations, including fighting patrols, long-range patrols, ambushes, clearance operations, cordon-and-search missions and rapid response operations across identified flashpoints.

He said the Brigade had established Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), combat locations and checkpoints to dominate the operational environment and respond swiftly to emerging threats.

The Brigade Commander noted that the security situation in Zamfara had evolved considerably over the years, with criminal groups transforming from loosely organised cattle-rustling gangs into heavily armed networks engaged in kidnapping, attacks on communities, destruction of infrastructure and violent assaults on security personnel.

He attributed the transformation to the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons, weak governance in remote communities and the exploitation of the vast forests stretching across Zamfara and neighbouring states.

“From about 2011, these criminal groups became increasingly organised, establishing camps within the expansive forests of Kuyambana, Kagara, Kamuku and Gungu, which provided them with freedom of movement and logistical bases,” he said.

Jimoh added that some of the groups later adopted tactics commonly associated with terrorist organisations, including coordinated attacks on communities, sophisticated weapon systems and deliberate intimidation of civilian populations.

He said Zamfara remains one of the country’s most challenging operational theatres because of its extensive forest reserves, rugged terrain and proximity to neighbouring states, which criminal groups exploit for movement and logistics.

Despite these challenges, he said sustained military pressure had continued to reduce the operational capacity of the armed groups while improving freedom of movement for residents.

The Brigade Commander also disclosed that troops rescued 283 kidnapped victims, including women, children, students and other civilians, during various operations across the state.

He said recovered livestock stolen by the terrorists had been returned to their rightful owners, helping to restore livelihoods in affected communities.

Jimoh noted that Headquarters 1 Brigade works closely with the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies through coordinated planning, intelligence sharing and joint operations.

He also acknowledged the support of the Zamfara and Kebbi State governments in logistics, intelligence, policy coordination and community engagement, saying the collaboration had enhanced operational effectiveness.

The Brigade Commander said that although considerable progress had been recorded, the Brigade continued to contend with vast operational terrain, expansive forests, evolving criminal tactics, trans-border criminal networks and limited operational resources.

He assured that troops would sustain the momentum of ongoing operations through enhanced intelligence gathering, improved surveillance, strengthened inter-agency cooperation and continuous engagement with local communities.

“The Brigade remains committed to dismantling the remaining terrorist and bandit networks, protecting lives and property, restoring civil authority and creating a secure environment that will support farming, commerce and sustainable socio-economic development across Zamfara and Kebbi States,” Jimoh said.

1 Brigade dismantles terrorist camps, seizes heavy weapons in sustained Zamfara offensive