Troops of the Nigerian military under Operation ENDURING PEACE have arrested a suspect linked to an attack on forest guards and local hunters in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Security sources said the operation followed a violent incident on April 23, when armed men reportedly attacked forest guards and hunters in Gidan Waya and fled towards the Jagindi Forest.
According to the report, troops under Sector 7 received distress information at about 9:35 a.m. and immediately launched a response operation. The military moved quickly into the area to track down the attackers, who were believed to be hiding in nearby forest routes.
The attack on forest guards and hunters has raised concern in the area, as these groups often work with local authorities to monitor forests, prevent illegal activities, and provide early warnings of criminal movements. Such attacks have also highlighted ongoing security challenges in rural parts of Kaduna State, where armed groups are known to operate in forested areas.
After receiving the report, the troops advanced towards Ungwan Maruwa in pursuit of the suspects. During the operation, one of the armed men reportedly abandoned his motorcycle and fled on sighting the approaching soldiers.
Security sources said the area was immediately surrounded and searched by the troops. During the sweep, the soldiers recovered two rifles, including one AK-47 and one AK-49, along with the abandoned motorcycle and other unspecified items.
The recovery of the weapons is seen as a significant development, as illegal possession of firearms remains a major factor fueling insecurity in many parts of northern Nigeria.
In a follow-up operation back in Gidan Waya, troops arrested one of the suspects identified as Ahmed Musa. He is believed to be connected to the earlier attack on forest guards and hunters in the area.
“The suspect and the recovered items are currently in military custody, while investigations are ongoing,” a security source confirmed.
The arrest is part of ongoing military efforts to reduce criminal activity in Kaduna State, where banditry, kidnapping, and armed attacks have been recurring security challenges in recent years. Rural communities, especially those close to forested areas, have been particularly affected.
Kaduna State, located in Nigeria’s North-West region, has experienced several security operations aimed at flushing out armed groups hiding in forests and remote settlements. These groups often use difficult terrain to evade security forces and launch attacks on nearby communities.
Military operations like Operation ENDURING PEACE are designed to restore stability, protect civilians, and dismantle criminal networks operating in these areas. The operation covers multiple states in the region and involves coordinated ground and air efforts.
In many cases, local hunters and forest guards work alongside security agencies by providing intelligence on suspicious movements. However, this has also exposed them to risks, as criminal groups sometimes target them to avoid being tracked.
The latest attack on forest guards in Gidan Waya is part of a broader pattern of violence affecting rural security personnel and community defenders.
Following the arrest of the suspect, military authorities have intensified search operations in the area to track down other members of the group who escaped during the encounter. Troops are reportedly combing surrounding forest routes and settlements to prevent further attacks.
Residents in the affected communities have expressed concern over repeated security incidents, calling for increased protection and sustained military presence in the area.
Some locals say that while military operations have helped reduce attacks in certain periods, armed groups still take advantage of remote forests to regroup and carry out assaults.
Authorities have urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with useful information that can help in identifying criminal elements. They also advised the public to avoid confronting armed suspects directly, stressing the importance of reporting such incidents to security operatives.
The Nigerian military has continued to emphasize its commitment to restoring peace in troubled areas, especially in the North-West, where insecurity has disrupted farming activities, displaced communities, and affected local economies.
As investigations continue into the latest attack, attention remains on efforts to dismantle armed networks operating in Kaduna’s forest belts. Security agencies say they are determined to sustain pressure on criminal groups until peace is restored in the region.