(DDM) – Nigerian Army troops have recorded a major victory against terrorism after neutralising at least 80 armed bandits during a fierce gun battle along the Kebbi–Zamfara border, officials confirmed on Saturday.
DDM gathered that the operation was carried out under the ongoing Operation Hadarin Daji, which targets bandit enclaves and kidnapping routes across the North-West.
Security sources said the clash occurred when heavily armed bandits attempted to infiltrate Kebbi State through Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, a border corridor long identified as one of the most volatile flashpoints in the region.
Troops reportedly engaged the criminals in a sustained firefight that lasted for several hours, forcing the attackers to retreat after suffering heavy casualties.
According to the Nigerian Army Headquarters, the operation followed credible intelligence about the movement of armed groups fleeing recent military bombardments in Zamfara State.
“The troops successfully ambushed the terrorists, neutralising over 80 of them and recovering assorted weapons, including AK-47 rifles, machine guns, motorcycles, and large quantities of ammunition,” a senior army officer told DDM.
He added that several bandit camps were destroyed, while others fled toward the Dansadau forest axis in disarray.
Prime news learned that the army also rescued some kidnapped civilians during the encounter, though their identities have not yet been made public pending medical evaluation.
The military described the operation as one of its most successful coordinated assaults in recent months, reaffirming its resolve to restore peace to communities terrorised by bandits across Kebbi, Zamfara, and Sokoto States.
Residents of nearby villages who spoke to PN confirmed hearing heavy gunfire through the night, followed by army patrols combing the surrounding forests for remnants of the fleeing bandits.
One local leader in Zuru Emirate, who requested anonymity for security reasons, praised the army’s swift response and called for sustained presence of security forces to prevent reprisal attacks.
“These bandits are ruthless and desperate,” he said. “We are grateful for the army’s courage, but we want them to stay and keep watch. Once soldiers leave, these criminals often return.”
Military authorities assured that reinforcement teams have been deployed to maintain control of the area, while surveillance drones continue to monitor the movement of surviving bandit elements across the forest belts linking Zamfara, Niger, and Kebbi States.
Meanwhile, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris commended the gallantry of the troops and urged citizens to cooperate with security agencies by providing intelligence on suspicious movements.
The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s support for the armed forces, pledging additional logistics and welfare packages to enhance their ongoing counterterrorism campaign.
Nigeria’s North-West region has endured years of unrelenting violence from bandit gangs, responsible for mass killings, kidnappings, and displacement of thousands of villagers.
Security analysts told DDM that the success of this operation could signal a shift in momentum for the Nigerian military, especially after months of criticism over the resilience of armed groups in the region.
“The key challenge is sustainability,” said a defence analyst. “The army must follow up with air strikes and ground patrols to ensure these bandits do not regroup.”
The military has vowed to sustain the pressure until all terrorist hideouts in the North-West are dismantled and affected communities can safely return to normal life.
As of press time, DDM learned that mop-up operations were still ongoing, with troops combing the Kebbi–Zamfara border axis for remnants of the defeated bandit groups.