Troops of 33 Artillery Brigade under Operation Wutan Daji have neutralised several bandits and dismantled key operational bases following a coordinated clearance operation in Kumbodoro Forest and Kumbodoro Village in Bauchi State.
According to a statement issued Tuesday, the offensive dealt a major setback to bandit networks operating within the area.It said the troops successfully cleared multiple bandit enclaves, including the notorious Azuge camps within the Kumbodoro Forest axis.
It noted: “Supported by the Air Component, the troops neutralised several bandits and dismantled key operational bases, further degrading the criminals’ capability to threaten lives and property of citizens. The operation led to rescue of eight kidnapped victims.
“A thorough search of the bandits enclave led to the recovery of cache of arms and equipment, including 4 skeletal rifles, 4 dane guns, one FN rifle magazine, one AK-47 magazine, as well as communication devices and other operational items.”
Other recovered items include two pairs of boots, three helmets, one power bank, one StarTimes decoder, QJC meta links, one jackknife, 6 mobile handsets, arrows, radio chargers, Opay ATM cards, photographs, an identity card, several pairs of security agency uniforms and leg chains.
Relatedly, troops deployed at Duguri while acting on credible intelligence, recovered 36 cows at Mushen Kura Village in collaboration with local vigilantes.
The livestock are believed to have been abandoned by fleeing bandits due to sustained military pressure.
Efforts are ongoing to identify and return the animals to their rightful owners.