Crime
Army eliminate 6 Bandits as Forest Sanity III’ pushes deeper into Sokoto forests

Army eliminate 6 Bandits as Forest Sanity III’ pushes deeper into Sokoto forests
By: Zagazola Makama
As the troops of Operation FANSAN YABMA have continued their aggressive operations in the thick undergrowth of Gandumi Forest, North of Goronyo, the stillness of a late-morning haze was shattered on Thursday as soldiers from the 8 Division Gar Strike Team swept through a cluster of makeshift huts and weapons pits.
It was the latest push under Operation Forest Sanity III, a rolling clearance campaign designed to uproot terrorist and bandit enclaves that have long exploited Sokoto’s sprawling woodlands as a sanctuary.
Between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., the troops struck two separate hideouts: one in Gandumi Forest, Goronyo Local Government Area, and another in Indulumu village, Maradun LGA. Military sources told Zagazola Makama that six armed militants were neutralised in the combined raids.
Two AK-47 rifles, three motor-cycles, camouflage fatigues, assorted drugs and maintenance kits were recovered, while the camps themselves were levelled and set ablaze to prevent re-occupation.
“Every foot of ground we seize in these forests denies criminals a staging area,” a senior officer on the mission explained. “The goal is to keep them constantly off balance so they cannot regroup or threaten nearby communities.”
Barely an hour later and 70 kilometres away, a separate drama unfolded in Isa Local Government Area. Dozens of bandits riding motorcycles rolled toward Gamaroji, a dusty farming community often hit by rustling raids, only to meet an ambush laid by crack operatives on special assignment.
Acting on what authorities described as “specific, time-sensitive intelligence,” the team intercepted the convoy at about 11 a.m. A fierce exchange of fire ensued; one gunman was killed, the rest fled, abandoning two Honda motorcycles, an empty AK magazine and two assault rifles bearing.
Local residents told Zagazola Makama that the rapid response averted what could have been a mass abduction or livestock theft.
“We heard gunshots outside the village and thought they had come for us again,” said farmer Bawa Yusuf. “When it fell silent, we saw security men bringing out seized rifles. People are breathing easier tonight.”
Sokoto’s Eastern corridor from Goronyo down through Isa into Zamfara’s Maradun axis forms a critical transit route for armed gangs shuttling cattle, weapons and abductees between forest camps and black market buyers.
Operation Forest Sanity III, launched in March as the newest phase of the multi agency offensive, focuses on these corridors. Its mix of deliberate daytime assaults and intelligence driven night manoeuvres has already yielded a string of weapons recoveries and hostage rescues.
A defence Intelligence said the aim is two-fold: “Deny the bad actors depth and logistics, while reassuring civilians that the state is reclaiming every contested space.”
For villages like Gamaroji and Indulumu, each successful raid offers a brief respite. Yet many residents remain cautious, mindful that retreating fighters often strike back at soft targets.
A District head who chose to be anonymous for the fear of being targeted urged continued vigilance. “We thank the security forces for today’s success,” he told Zagazola. “But we still need sustained patrols and quick response lines because the criminals melt into other forests.”
Military commanders say the campaign will persist “until all camps are dismantled and freedom of movement is restored.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region
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Crime
Gunmen abduct pastor, two others on farm in Kajuru LGA

Gunmen abduct pastor, two others on farm in Kajuru LGA
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted three persons, including a clergyman, at Bauda Village in Maro Community, Kajuru Local Government Area.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims, Rev. Anthony Lamba, 50, of ECWA Church Bauda Village, Christiana Anthony, and Danlami Zana, were seized while working on their farm on Friday afternoon.
Security forces were immediately mobilised to the scene, but the kidnappers had already fled with the victims to an unknown destination.
Efforts had been intensified to rescue the victims unhurt, while investigation into the incident is ongoing.
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Crime
Troops neutralise three terrorist kingpins in Sokoto ambush

Troops neutralise three terrorist kingpins in Sokoto ambush
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) have neutralised three notorious terrorist kingpins during a successful ambush operation in Sabon Birni Local Government Area (LGA) of Sokoto State.
Zagazola Makama report that the operation was conducted on July 25 between Mallamawa and Mazau villages in the Tsamaye/Mai Lalle District of the LGA.
During the operation, the troops neutralised the terrorists identified as Kachalla Nagomma, Gurmu and Ali Yar Daribiyar, and recovered three AK-47 rifles with magazines and a motorcycle.

Sources told Zagazola that the terrorists and their foot soldiers were in the area to collect ransom and illegal levies imposed on residents when they were ambushed by the troops.
The source said the operation has triggered widespread relief and jubilation among residents of Mai Lalle, Tsamaye, Rimaye and nearby communities across Sabon Birni and Goronyo LGAs.
“These terrorists have long tormented the communities with killings, kidnappings and extortion, so this success is a huge morale boost for the people,” the source added.
The troops have continued to intensify kinetic and non-kinetic efforts in synergy with other security agencies and local vigilante groups.
The military has urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to assist the troops in sustaining momentum against criminal elements.
Troops neutralise three terrorist kingpins in Sokoto ambush
Crime
Two hunters killed, four injured in armed bandits’ ambush in Niger

Two hunters killed, four injured in armed bandits’ ambush in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits suspected to be insurgents have killed two Hunters, operating under a local security outfit, and injured four others in a deadly ambush in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
Zagazola Makama was reliably informed that the incident occurred on July 24 at about 4:00 p.m. when the security team was on a routine patrol around Iburo village, located within the Galadiman-Kogo District.
The armed assailants, numbering in their dozens, opened fire on the patrol team, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.
Two members of the Hunters, identified as Jafaru Baba Ali and Baba Ustaz, both male, died in the attack, while four others sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
The injured personnel were evacuated and are currently receiving treatment at the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna, where medical officials confirmed they are responding positively.
Security sources said the bandits also suffered casualties during the shootout but managed to retreat into the forest.
Two hunters killed, four injured in armed bandits’ ambush in Niger
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