In a spectacular display of precision warfare and tactical supremacy, the Nigerian Army has struck a deadly blow to the backbone of terrorism in Zamfara State, neutralizing several notorious bandit kingpins and seizing a massive cache of weapons in a sweeping counter-terrorism operation.
The operation, carried out by the valiant troops of 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, unfolded in the early hours of May 1, 2025, across the terror-stricken terrains of Talata Mafara and Kaura Namoda Local Government Areas. It marks a decisive chapter in the military’s unyielding campaign to dismantle insurgent enclaves and restore lasting peace to the troubled North-West region.
At dawn, troops of Combat Team 6 on a high-risk fighting patrol engaged a large gang of heavily armed terrorists who had stormed Mai Kwanugga village, unleashing terror on defenceless civilians and setting homes ablaze. A thunderous firefight erupted, ending with the annihilation of multiple insurgents, including five high-profile bandit warlords long wanted by security agencies: Auta Jijji, Dankali, Sagidi, Kachallah Rijaji, and Kachallah Suza.
As the battle raged, swift reinforcements from the Brigade Quick Response Force and Special Forces closed in on fleeing terrorists, capturing a lethal arsenal that included:
4 x AK-47 Rifles
1 x PKT General Purpose Machine Gun
2 x Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) Launchers
6 x RPG Bombs
28 x 7.62mm Special Rounds
43 x PKT Ammunition Rounds
The momentum continued the next day, May 2, 2025, as a follow-up exploitation mission saw community members voluntarily handing over additional arms and providing crucial intelligence. This cooperation not only confirmed the identities of the neutralized terrorist leaders but further cemented the people’s growing trust in the military’s protective presence.
Brigadier General Timothy Opurum, Commander of 1 Brigade, praised the courage, discipline, and tactical finesse of his men, describing the victory as “a major step toward breaking the grip of terror in Zamfara.” He commended the patriotic spirit of local residents whose timely intelligence was key to the operation’s success and urged them to remain vigilant and continue collaborating with security forces.
“The Nigerian Army remains unflinching in its mission to secure every inch of our nation’s territory. We will hunt down every last criminal who threatens our peace,” General Opurum declared.
This operation reinforces the Nigerian Army’s strategic shift towards intelligence-led warfare, community-driven security synergy, and relentless pursuit of criminal elements undermining national peace.
SULEIMAN OMALE
Captain
Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations
1 Brigade Nigerian Army
2 May 2025
PIONEER NEWS 