1 Brigade Crushes Terrorist Strongholds, Recovers Heavy Weapons and Rescues 283 Victims in Zamfara Offensive
By Zagazola Makama
The Headquarters 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army has intensified its sustained offensive against terrorist and bandit networks in Zamfara State, dismantling several camps and command hideouts, recovering a large cache of weapons and ammunition, and significantly degrading the operational capabilities of criminal groups operating across the state.
The Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Mustapha Jimoh, said the achievements resulted from sustained intelligence-driven kinetic and non-kinetic operations conducted in close collaboration with other components of the Armed Forces, security agencies and critical stakeholders.
According to him, the operations are designed to deny criminal elements freedom of action by targeting their command structures, logistics bases and mobility corridors throughout the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility.
He disclosed that troops destroyed several terrorist camps and operational hideouts during clearance operations, denying the criminals safe havens from which they planned and launched attacks on communities.
“As part of these operations, troops recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition, significantly reducing the firepower available to terrorists and bandits,” he said.
Jimoh revealed that troops recovered 46 AK-47 rifles, one PKT machine gun, two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), three Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers and six locally fabricated rifles.
He added that troops also seized 48 AK-47 magazines, one handgun magazine, one locally fabricated rifle magazine, as well as large quantities of ammunition during various operations.
He described the recoveries as a major setback for the criminal groups, saying they had severely disrupted the terrorists’ access to weapons and logistics.
The Brigade Commander further disclosed that troops recovered 144 motorcycles, a critical logistical asset used by terrorists and bandits to transport fighters, move weapons and execute attacks across difficult terrain.
“The recovery of these motorcycles has considerably disrupted the mobility and logistics network of criminal elements operating within our area of responsibility,” he stated.
Jimoh explained that Headquarters 1 Brigade continues to conduct intelligence-led operations, including fighting patrols, long-range patrols, ambushes, clearance operations, cordon-and-search missions and rapid-response operations across identified flashpoints.
He said the Brigade has also established Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), combat locations and security checkpoints to dominate the operational environment and respond swiftly to emerging threats.
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The Brigade Commander observed that the security situation in Zamfara has evolved significantly over the years, with criminal groups transforming from loosely organised cattle-rustling gangs into heavily armed networks involved in kidnapping, attacks on communities, destruction of infrastructure and assaults on security personnel.
He attributed this transformation to the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons, weak governance in remote communities and the exploitation of the vast forest belts spanning Zamfara and neighbouring states.
“From about 2011, these criminal groups became increasingly organised, establishing camps within the expansive forests of Kuyambana, Kagara, Kamuku and Gungu, which provided them with freedom of movement and logistical bases,” he said.
According to Jimoh, some of the groups later adopted tactics commonly associated with terrorist organisations, including coordinated attacks on communities, the deployment of sophisticated weapon systems and the deliberate intimidation of civilian populations.
He described Zamfara as one of Nigeria’s most challenging operational theatres due to its expansive forests, rugged terrain and proximity to neighbouring states, factors that criminal groups continue to exploit for movement and logistics.
Despite these challenges, he said sustained military pressure has continued to degrade the operational capacity of the armed groups while improving security and freedom of movement for residents.
The Brigade Commander also disclosed that troops rescued 283 kidnapped victims, including women, children, students and other civilians, during various operations across the state.
He added that stolen livestock recovered from the terrorists had been returned to their rightful owners, helping affected communities rebuild their livelihoods.
Jimoh noted that Headquarters 1 Brigade maintains close operational synergy with the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies through coordinated planning, intelligence sharing and joint operations.
He also acknowledged the support of the Zamfara and Kebbi State governments in logistics, intelligence, policy coordination and community engagement, noting that the collaboration has enhanced operational effectiveness.
While acknowledging that significant progress has been made, the Brigade Commander said troops continue to contend with vast operational terrain, dense forests, evolving criminal tactics, trans-border criminal networks and limited operational resources.
He assured that the Brigade would sustain the current operational momentum through enhanced intelligence gathering, improved surveillance, strengthened inter-agency collaboration and deeper engagement with local communities.
“The Brigade remains committed to dismantling the remaining terrorist and bandit networks, protecting lives and property, restoring civil authority, and creating a secure environment that will support farming, commerce and sustainable socio-economic development across Zamfara and Kebbi States,” Jimoh said.