Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces have successfully neutralised several bandits and recovered stolen cattle during coordinated air and ground operations in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.
Security sources confirmed that the operation followed recent attacks by armed bandits on villages around Atabo, Zoma, and nearby communities. The criminals had invaded the villages, rustled a large number of cattle, and attempted to escape toward neighbouring Zamfara State.
Acting on intelligence, the military quickly deployed air assets to the area. The airstrikes targeted the retreating bandits, killing several of them and forcing the rest to abandon the stolen livestock.
The successful aerial attack was followed by a ground operation, where troops swept through the affected areas to secure the recovered cattle and ensure the safety of residents.
However, the situation remained tense on Tuesday as some of the surviving bandits reportedly regrouped and tried to launch a counterattack in an attempt to reclaim the stolen animals.
Military sources said the troops acted swiftly to repel the attackers, engaging them in another fierce battle. Several more bandits were neutralised in the process, and the attempted counterattack was completely foiled.
“The troops were alert and fully prepared. They acted immediately to stop the bandits from regaining control of the cattle. The operation was a success, and the cattle have been safely recovered,” a security official involved in the mission said.
The recent operation comes amid renewed efforts by the federal government and the Nigerian military to tackle rising insecurity in the North-Central and North-West regions, where banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling have become rampant.
Communities in Niger State have faced repeated attacks by armed groups in recent years, often resulting in deaths, displacement, and destruction of farmlands and property.
Residents of Magama LGA who spoke to journalists expressed relief over the military intervention and urged the government to maintain a permanent security presence in the area.
“We are grateful to the soldiers for responding quickly. The bandits have been troubling us for a long time. We want the government to help us with more security,” a local farmer said.
Military authorities have assured that clearance operations will continue in the region to prevent further attacks and restore peace to the affected communities.
