Troops of the Nigerian Army have stepped up offensive operations against armed bandits in Bauchi State, dismantling hideouts, detaining relatives of the suspects, and destroying operational logistics within Dajin Madam forest.
An operational update obtained on Wednesday in Abuja indicated that the clearance mission was carried out by personnel of the 33 Artillery Brigade alongside operatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The operation reportedly led to the destruction of several criminal camps, including the Azuge and Hari enclaves, effectively disrupting the activities of armed groups in the area.
Security sources stated that some of the armed suspects were neutralised during the engagement, while others escaped due to sustained military pressure.
During the raid, troops also took custody of 19 family members linked to the suspects, consisting of six women and 13 children.
Items recovered from the scene included an AK-47 magazine, tramadol tablets, a police uniform, military-style clothing suspected to be used for impersonation, and two horses.
The troops also destroyed several motorcycles believed to be used by the armed groups for movement and logistics, further weakening their operational capacity.
Military personnel have since consolidated their presence in the forest to prevent regrouping or re-entry by fleeing elements.
In a related development, a follow-up clearance mission was conducted at Mainamaji following earlier air operations targeting suspected hideouts. No armed contact was recorded, suggesting a significant reduction in militant presence in the area.
Authorities said the sustained operations have continued to disrupt criminal networks and restrict their movement across the region.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its resolve to maintain pressure on armed groups until security is fully restored in affected communities.
Residents were urged to support ongoing security efforts by providing timely and reliable intelligence to assist military operations.