Military
Insecurity: DHQ reviews operation, holds joint simulation exercise
Insecurity: DHQ reviews operation, holds joint simulation exercise
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor on Wednesday, unveiled the Defence Headquarter (DHQ) joint simulation exercise and the review of ongoing Operation Whirl Punch.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Operation Whirl Punch is a DHQ led operation that deals with the menace of banditry and terrorism in Kaduna and Niger States.
Irabor said professionalism remained the thrust of the Armed Forces in addressing the prevailing security challenges in the country.
He said the simulation exercise was designed to reshape and review the operation in a bid to enhance operational effectiveness of the military,
The CDS added that joint training was needed to contend with the current issues and reposition personnel to effectively address future threats to the nation.
According to him, professionalism is a process and every organization will have to continue to review its structure and setting in a bid to get better.
“For us in the armed forces, a lot of mileage has been covered, but I will also indicate that we still have so much more to cover.
“Since we operate within a geographic environment which is within our geographical space, the contending issues are far beyond those within our space.
“They also involve those that are global in nature, some are made, others, of course, are natural.
“But as members of the armed forces, it is necessary for us to sieve these issues and have them properly contextualised and get ready to plan contingencies to be able to redress them.
“At any point in time when the armed forces are called upon, there would not be any reason for any excuse for failures.
“Currently, the armed forces, as you know, is engaged in various theatres across the country.
“Dealing with issues that are more internal in nature, which at some point have had to involve the resources and the capacities of the armed forces”, he said.
Irabor disclosed that the armed forces looked forward to assisting other agencies to increase their to respond to internal security challenges.
This, according to him, is to enable the military to focus more on issues that were traditionally its responsibilities.
He said it was a long term goal that the armed forces would continue to escalate in the interim, to sufficiently bring respite to the security environment.
The Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Maj.-Gen. Adeyemi Yekini, said the exercise was a follow up to one of the key decisions reached during the defence retreat at Asaba.
Yekini said the main objective was to find ways to further enhance jointness in military operations, working with other security agencies to overcome the contemporary security challenges facing the country.
This, according to him, is in line with the CDS’ leadership focus, which is to foster a professional armed forces.
Yekini therefore said there was no better way of fostering professionalism other than through joint training involving personnel of the three services.
“This exercise is designed to upgrade one of our key operations, Operation Whirl Punch, which is involved in counter terrorism and counter insurgency operation in Kaduna and Niger states.
“It is instructive to mention that the operation was recently reviewed to bring together under a unified command, the different civil service and police operations in the area.
“This review was followed by the launching of Operation Forest Sanity, which has substantially degraded enemy forces in the two states, thereby improving security along the general axes,” he said.
Yekini said the participants were expected to articulate lessons and observations derived during the exercise.
He urged them to be committed to the exercise and bridge the lapses already experienced by troops in the joint operations.
Insecurity: DHQ reviews operation, holds joint simulation exercise
Military
Nigerian Army troops killed several bandits, Destroy Bandit Hideout in Sakkarawa Forest, Sabon Birni
Nigerian Army troops killed several bandits, Destroy Bandit Hideout in Sakkarawa Forest, Sabon Birni
By: Zagazola Makama
A notorious bandit stronghold known as “Dabar Dan Dari Biyar,” located in Sakkarawa Forest, western Sabon Birni, has been destroyed while several bandits killed following a major a major truce by the combined troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA in collaboration with local vigilantes, and community defense groups.
Intelligence sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama that some bandits, including their leader, managed to escape after suffering heavy casualties in the raid which took place on February 17, 2025z
A survivor, who was recently rescued after spending two months in captivity at the notorious Gwali Gwali camp of bandit leader Kachalla Dan Dari Biyar, recounted his ordeals.
According to him, the bandits had planned to deliver a ransom of two million naira alongside a motorcycle to Boko Haram fighters this coming Thursday in exchange for hostages.
He also revealed that the hideout was well-structured, featuring seating arrangements and even makeshift beds, indicating that it was a well-organized base for the criminals.
Other sensitive intelligence gathered from the rescued victim has already been handed over to security agencies for further action.
However, security forces have intensified their pursuit on the fleeing bandits and ensure that they cleared the area completely.
Nigerian Army troops killed several bandits, Destroy Bandit Hideout in Sakkarawa Forest, Sabon Birni
Troops Neutralize Notorious Bandit Kingpin Kamilu Buzar, several fighters in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
A coordinated military operation involving the Nigerian Army’s 17 Brigade, Katsina, and the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji has neutralized notorious bandit kingpin Kamilu Chiroma, also known as Buzaro, along with several of his gang members at Dargaza Hill, Maidabino B Ward, Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, which took place in the early hours of February 17, followed actionable intelligence and reconnaissance indicating that Buzaro and his men had set up defensive positions around the hills, armed with sophisticated weapons and prepared to ambush advancing troops.
Acting on this intelligence, an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance platform was deployed to scan the area, confirming the bandits’ movements and fortifications. With this information, ground forces halted their advance while fighter jets were tasked to conduct precise airstrikes on the hideout.
The bombardment was highly successful, taking the bandits by surprise and neutralizing a significant number of Buzaro’s fighters.
Impeccable sources who witnessed the attack reported that several motorcycles used by the gang were destroyed, along with a cache of weapons.
In the aftermath of the damaging assult, ground troops moved in to clear the area, engaging any remaining threats and securing the location.
Top military official described the mission as “very successful,” emphasizing that it has dealt directly a major blow to bandit operations in the region.
The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies, has intensified counter-banditry operations across the Northwest, targeting key criminal strongholds responsible for attacks on communities.
Troops Neutralize Notorious Bandit Kingpin Kamilu Buzar, several fighters in Katsina
Notorious Bandit Leaders Surrender, Lay Down Arms in Katsina After Fierce Military Offensive
By: Zagazola Malama
Several notorious bandit leaders, who have long terrorized Batsari, Safana, and Jibia Local Government Areas of Katsina State, have surrendered and laid down their arms following a series of intensified military operations.
The surrendering bandits include Abu Radda, Umar Black, Abdullahi Lankai, Jijjige, and Dabar Musa Dan Gandu, all operating from the Jibia axis.
Intelligence sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama that the military’s sustained onslaught against armed groups in the region forced the bandits to seek peace and disarm voluntarily.
During their surrender, the repentant bandits appealed to the government to provide them with alternative means of livelihood, requesting the construction of markets, hospitals, and access to clean water to help them reintegrate into society.
Their surrender was facilitated by the National Community for Security and Societal Advancement in Katsina (NCSOSACK), led by Comrade Hamisa S. Batsari, which represented affected communities in the security dialogue.
As part of their surrender, the bandits handed over their weapons to the military and released several hostages they had kidnapped during their reign of terror. They also vowed to embrace peace and end their involvement in criminal activities.
Top Military sources said that welcomed the surrender but reiterated that operations against unrepentant bandits will continue until total peace is restored in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and the entire North West and the broader Northwest region.
Notorious Bandit Leaders Surrender, Lay Down Arms in Katsina After Fierce Military Offensive
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