News
Troops Sustain Onslaught On Bandits, Arrest Kingpin, Kill Scores in Sokoto, Zamfara States
By Zagazola Makama
Determined to rid the Northwest region of banditry, kidnapping and other heinous crimes, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) have renewed their aggressive onslaught on bandits’ enclaves across their areas of operation in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara States.
Acting on credible information that a bandit kingpin named Jabi Ruwa and some of his members were taking refuge in Dambala village, troops of Forward Operating Base (FOB), Gwadabawa and those of Raka in Sokoto State, assisted by local guides, mobilized on Friday, 28 July, 2023 and subsequently stormed the hideout in Dambala where Jabi Ruwa and 4 of his members were apprehended. They are currently undergoing preliminary interrogations.
In separate development, on 28 July 2023, troops of OPHD cleared bandits enclaves and thoroughfare routes at Sangeko, Kabugu Lamba, Kaboro and Mairairai villages at Maru Local Government of Zamfara state. During the operation, troops came in contact with armed bandits loyal to notorious bandit leader, Alhaji Ilu, at his hideouts in Sangeko, Kabagon Lamba, Danmani and Kaboro villages under Maru LGA. The Troops engaged the armed bandits with superior fire power which forced the bandits to flee; one of them was neutralized while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Zagazola Makama, a Counter-Insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, learnt that the troops are currently on aggressive patrol within the villages in other to eliminate other bandits and deny them freedom of action within the area.
The Commander Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji, Major General Godwin Mutkut, who also doubles as the General officer Commanding 8 Division has commended the troops and charged them to maintain the momentum. He further called on the people of the region to be vigilant and immediately report any suspected persons or activities of the criminals.
End
Fourteen Abducted Victims Released in Maru, Zamfara State; Two Killed in Captivity
By: Zagazola Makama
Fourteen victims abducted in December 2025, including six family members of Inspector Hussaini Abubakar of Maru Police Division, have been released by their captors.
Zagazola reliably gathered that the release occurred at about 1:00 p.m. on Feb. 26, 2026. Unfortunately, two of the victims, identified as Bashir Marafa, aged 45, and Halliru Kabiru, aged 50, were killed while in captivity.
Sources added that a pregnant woman among the abductees delivered a baby girl while in captivity. The victims are currently receiving medical attention at the General Hospital, Maru.
Fourteen Abducted Victims Released in Maru, Zamfara State; Two Killed in Captivity
Two Abducted Victims Rescued in Tsafe, Zamfara; One Killed in Bandit Attack at Talata Mafara
By: Zagazola Makama
Two persons abducted earlier this month in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been rescued, while a separate bandit attack in Talata Mafara LGA left one person dead and others missing.
Sources confirmed that Bashir Adamu Iyatawa, 42, and Kenneth Allahmagani, 35, both from Zaria City, Kaduna State, were abducted at Unguwar Chida Village in Tsafe on Feb. 16, 2026.
They were rescued on Feb. 26, debriefed, and later taken to a hospital for medical attention before being handed over to their relatives.
In a separate incident, armed bandits loyal to a local bandit leader, Na Sanda, attacked the outskirts of Jangebe town in Talata Mafara LGA on Feb. 27 at about 2:00 a.m.
The attack resulted in the death of Misbawu Aminu, 30, and the abduction of an unspecified number of persons to an undisclosed location.
Joint troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and local vigilante groups are reported to be pursuing the fleeing bandits. Authorities have assured that efforts to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the culprits are ongoing.
Two Abducted Victims Rescued in Tsafe, Zamfara; One Killed in Bandit Attack at Talata Mafara
Boko Haram Attack on CJTF Leaves One Dead in Gwoza, Borno state
By: Zagazola Makama
One member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) was killed following an ambush by suspected ISWAP terrorists along the Warave–Gwoza Road in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources said the incident occurred on February 25 at about 7:30 a.m. when gunmen attacked members of the CJTF and hunters on routine patrol. Fifty-year-old Bello Adamu, a member of the CJTF, was fatally injured in the attack.
Army troops of Operation HADIN KAI, Police Tactical Units, and CJTF personnel visited the scene, documented the incident, and evacuated the victim to Gwoza General Hospital, where he was certified dead on arrival. His body was released to his family for burial according to Islamic rites.
Monitoring of the area continues to prevent further attacks.
Boko Haram Attack on CJTF Leaves One Dead in Gwoza, Borno state
Fourteen Abducted Victims Released in Maru, Zamfara State; Two Killed in Captivity
Two Abducted Victims Rescued in Tsafe, Zamfara; One Killed in Bandit Attack at Talata Mafara
Boko Haram Attack on CJTF Leaves One Dead in Gwoza, Borno state
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