Army Crushes Top Bandit Warlords in Zamfara, Recovers Rocket Launchers in Daring Dawn Raid

In a major counter-terrorism success, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 1 Brigade have eliminated five notorious bandit kingpins and recovered a cache of deadly weapons in a sweeping offensive across Zamfara State.

The operation, which spanned Talata Mafara and Kaura Namoda local government areas, unfolded at dawn on May 1, 2025, when Combat Team 6 engaged a large group of armed terrorists who had launched a brutal attack on Mai Kwanugga village. The attackers, responsible for terrorizing civilians and burning homes, were met with superior firepower in a coordinated firefight.

By the end of the intense battle, troops had neutralized several insurgents, including five high-profile kingpins: Auta Jijji, Dankali, Sagidi, Kachallah Rijaji, and Kachallah Suza.

Reinforcements from the Brigade’s Quick Response Force and Special Forces pursued fleeing terrorists, leading to the recovery of a significant weapons cache, including:

• 4 AK-47 rifles
• 1 PKT general-purpose machine gun
• 2 rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers
• 6 RPG bombs
• 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
• 43 rounds of PKT ammunition

A follow-up clearance operation on May 2 saw community members voluntarily hand over additional weapons and confirm the identities of the neutralized kingpins. Residents also provided critical intelligence that guided the operation’s success.

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Brigadier General Timothy Opurum, Commander of 1 Brigade, praised the troops for their bravery and professionalism. He also applauded the local population for their patriotism and timely support, urging continued cooperation in the fight against insurgency.

“This victory marks a significant milestone in our mission to flush out criminal elements from Zamfara,” General Opurum said. “We remain committed to securing every inch of this state and protecting our people.”

The Nigerian Army has reiterated its resolve to sustain momentum in counter-insurgency operations, while calling on citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

– Captain Suleiman Omale
Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations,
1 Brigade Nigerian Army