Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 1 Division, operating under Sector 1 of Operation Fansan Yanma (OPFY), have successfully foiled a bandit attack in Kaduna State, neutralising one suspected violent extremist and recovering stolen livestock. The operation, which took place in the Maraban Rido general area, demonstrates the military’s continued commitment to protecting lives and property in the face of persistent insecurity across the region.
According to a credible source familiar with the operation, the incident occurred following a distress call received late on Thursday. The call reported that bandits had rustled livestock in Anguwan Fulan village, located within the Rido area of Kaduna State. Acting promptly on the intelligence, the troops deployed swiftly and laid a hasty ambush to intercept the fleeing criminals.
On arrival, soldiers engaged the bandits in a brief but intense gun battle, which forced the criminals to withdraw in disarray. Several bandits reportedly sustained gunshot wounds during the clash. The troops did not stop at this initial encounter but conducted further aggressive exploration of the surrounding forested areas, including the Kankomi Forest, a known corridor used by criminal elements.
During this follow-up operation, the military made another contact with a suspected crossing point around Anguwan Sarki. Once again, the troops successfully overwhelmed the suspected terrorists, compelling them to abandon their loot and flee. A portion of the rustled livestock was recovered during this phase of the operation.
In the early hours of Friday, soldiers further exploited the ambush location, which led to the neutralisation of one suspected terrorist. Items recovered from the scene included two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, and fifteen rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, and Commander of Sector 1, Operation Fansan Yanma, Major-General Abubakar Wase, commended the troops for their bravery, professionalism, and commitment to the security of Kaduna residents. He urged them to sustain the tempo of operations against criminal elements in the state.
Major-General Wase reassured the people of Kaduna that the military remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard lives and property. He also called on the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies, highlighting the importance of community support in the ongoing fight against banditry and violent extremism.
Kaduna State, located in Nigeria’s North-West, has faced persistent insecurity in recent years, largely due to banditry, kidnapping, and clashes between criminal groups and local communities. Banditry involves armed gangs attacking villages, rustling livestock, kidnapping for ransom, and looting properties, often causing significant loss of life and livelihoods.
The Nigerian Army, in partnership with the police and other security agencies, has launched multiple operations across the North-West to curb these activities. Operations such as Fansan Yanma aim to conduct proactive patrols, ambushes, and intelligence-driven interventions to disrupt criminal networks operating in forests, rural areas, and known bandit hideouts.
Residents of Maraban Rido and surrounding communities have frequently appealed to security agencies for timely interventions, as fear of attacks has affected daily life, farming, and local economies. Livestock rustling, in particular, poses a serious threat to farmers’ livelihoods, which are heavily dependent on cattle and other animals.
Major-General Wase’s call for public cooperation highlights the critical role of community intelligence in countering banditry. Local residents are often the first to notice unusual movements or attacks in their communities. Reporting such incidents promptly allows security forces to respond quickly, preventing loss of life and property.
Intelligence-driven operations, such as the one in Maraban Rido, have been increasingly effective in intercepting bandit gangs. The neutralisation of suspected terrorists and recovery of stolen livestock in Kaduna demonstrates how timely intelligence and rapid deployment can disrupt criminal activities.
While the recent operation is a success, experts warn that the fight against banditry and violent extremism in Kaduna and other parts of northern Nigeria is far from over. Sustained military presence, community engagement, and intelligence sharing are essential to maintaining security gains.
The Nigerian Army has, in recent months, intensified operations in high-risk areas across Kaduna State, particularly targeting forested zones and known bandit hideouts. The use of ambushes, patrols, and rapid response teams has helped reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, but officials caution that continued vigilance is necessary.