Troops Record Major Breakthroughs as 1 Division Neutralises 24 Bandits, Rescues
194 Hostages, in Kaduna Theatre

By Zagazola Makama

In a security environment marked by persistent threats from banditry, kidnapping, attacks on rural communities and attempts to sabotage critical national infrastructure, the Nigerian Army’s 1 Division and Sector 1 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have continued to assert their operational dominance across parts of the North-West and North-Central regions.

The achievements of the formation during the first quarter of 2026 paint a picture of an aggressive, intelligence-driven and multidimensional military campaign aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action while simultaneously building public confidence through non-kinetic engagements.

These successes were highlighted during an interaction with defence correspondents by the Chief of Staff, 1 Division Nigerian Army and Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Brig.-Gen. Timothy Opurum, who represented the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division and Commander Sector 1 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Muhammed Wase,

According to the military hierarchy, the Division remains one of the most strategically significant formations of the Nigerian Army, overseeing a vast operational area that cuts across Kaduna, Kano and Niger States. The formation commands several combat and support units, including formations in Kano and Niger States, the 26 Armoured Brigade and the 24 Reconnaissance Battalion, while coordinating security operations through six operational subsectors.

At the forefront of the Division’s operational strategy is the sustained deployment of ground and air assets in coordinated operations against armed bandits and terrorist elements operating within its area of responsibility.

Throughout the period under review, troops of the Division maintained a high operational tempo through a combination of offensive and defensive actions designed to disrupt criminal activities and dismantle terrorist infrastructure.

These operations included fighting patrols, ambushes, raids, clearance operations and targeted offensives against identified criminal enclaves.

The GOC noted that the primary objective was to deny bandits and terrorists freedom of movement, cut off their logistics routes, destroy their camps and prevent attacks against communities and strategic infrastructure.

The results, according to operational records presented during the briefing, were significant.
A total of 194 kidnapped victims were rescued through various military operations conducted across the Division’s area of responsibility. The rescued victims were freed from captivity following coordinated intelligence-led missions carried out by troops operating in difficult terrains and remote locations.

The successful rescue operations not only deprived criminal networks of financial gains but also restored hope to affected families and communities.

Beyond the rescue operations, troops arrested 36 suspected bandits and criminal collaborators, many of whom are believed to have provided logistics, intelligence and other forms of support to criminal groups operating within the region.

Wase explained that targeting support networks remains a critical component of ongoing counter-banditry operations, as criminal groups often rely heavily on informants, suppliers and local facilitators to sustain their activities.

The offensive operations also led to the neutralisation of 24 terrorists and violent extremists during engagements with troops. The elimination of these combatants was achieved during various combat encounters, ambushes and clearance operations conducted by units deployed across the operational theatre.

The neutralisation of these elements, military authorities noted, has significantly weakened the operational capabilities of criminal groups in several flashpoints within the Division’s area of responsibility.An equally important aspect of the Division’s achievements was the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons, ammunition and military-related equipment.

During the period under review, troops recovered more than 1,200 rounds of ammunition, alongside 1,212 assorted ammunition cartridges and 28 magazines from criminal elements.

He noted that every weapon or ammunition recovered from the battlefield translates into reduced firepower available to criminal groups and potentially fewer attacks on innocent civilians.

The recoveries also illustrated the effectiveness of intelligence gathering and follow-up operations conducted after military engagements.

Military authorities believe that disrupting access to weapons and ammunition remains one of the most effective ways of degrading the combat capabilities of armed groups operating in the North-West and North-Central regions.

Beyond kinetic operations, the Division also achieved notable successes in disrupting the economic foundations of criminal enterprises.
Troops recovered livestock estimated at over 2,000 animals, many of which had been rustled from rural communities by bandits.

Cattle rustling has long remained a major driver of insecurity in parts of Northern Nigeria, providing criminal groups with a lucrative source of revenue. By recovering stolen livestock and returning them to their rightful owners, the military not only inflicted financial losses on criminal networks but also restored livelihoods to affected communities.

The Division also recovered N874,625 believed to be proceeds linked to criminal activities.

The military high command noted that attacking the financial lifelines of criminal organisations remains essential in reducing their operational capacity and limiting their ability to recruit, procure weapons and sustain their operations.

In addition, troops recovered numerous communication devices, motorcycles and other operational equipment used by criminal groups for coordination, mobility and logistics.

One of the most critical aspects of the Division’s mandate is the protection of strategic national infrastructure. The operational environment under 1 Division includes assets of immense national importance such as the Kainji Hydroelectric Dam, power generation facilities and the Abuja-Kaduna railway corridor.

They revealed that troops maintained robust security coverage around these installations to prevent sabotage attempts by criminal and terrorist groups.

The protection of these assets remains vital not only for national security but also for economic stability, energy generation and transportation across the country.

Beyond kinetic operations, the Division has increasingly embraced non-kinetic approaches as part of a broader strategy to address the root causes of insecurity and build stronger relationships with local communities.

He explained that in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy, which emphasises strategic partnerships and cooperation, the Division has strengthened collaboration with sister services, intelligence agencies and other security stakeholders.

This approach has facilitated improved intelligence gathering, information sharing, joint planning and coordinated execution of operations.

A key component of these efforts was the organisation of the Second Edition of the Security Stakeholders Engagement Forum in Kaduna State, which brought together security agencies, traditional leaders, community representatives and other critical stakeholders to discuss emerging security threats and collective responses.

Military authorities believe such engagements have enhanced public trust and encouraged communities to provide actionable intelligence that has contributed significantly to operational successes.

Troops Record Major Breakthroughs as 1 Division Neutralises 24 Bandits, Rescues
194 Hostages, in Kaduna Theatre