A joint operation by the Nigerian Army and Air Force has reportedly rescued 15 students abducted from a secondary school in Kaduna State, with the mission described as intelligence-led and executed near a forest corridor bordering Zamfara State.
Security officials said some bandits were neutralized while others fled with injuries, as the rescued students were moved to a military medical facility for evaluation ahead of reunification with families.
Kaduna State authorities praised the troops and reiterated commitments to the Safe Schools Initiative, urging residents to share actionable intelligence with security formations.
Echotitbits take: A welcome win against banditry. Intelligence-led operations are the right model, but prevention remains the bigger challenge: school security hardening, early-warning networks, and disruption of financing pipelines must improve to reduce incidents.
Source: Zagazola – https://zagazola.org/index.php/breaking-news/army-troops-rescue-11-kidnapped-victims-in-kaduna 2026-01-27
As documented by The Guardian, concerns are being raised about the long-term impact of reported U.S. airstrikes targeting the ‘Lakurawa’ insurgent group in Sokoto State.
While the strikes were said to have hit militant targets, local accounts have raised questions about debris and potential effects on civilian assets such as farmlands.
Analysts say airpower can degrade leadership but must be matched with coordinated ground operations to prevent regrouping.
**Echotitbits take:** Foreign strikes are tactically useful but politically risky if communities feel harmed or unheard. Watch for follow-up security operations, transparent damage assessments, and local engagement to avoid fresh grievances.
Source: The Guardian Nigeria – https://guardian.ng/news/sokoto-airstrikes-nigerias-diplomatic-appeals-fall-on-deaf-ears-as-us-clings-to-christian-genocide-narrative/ 2026-01-08
Nigerian Troops of Operation Sahel Sanity have shot dead two suspected bandits and arrested 150 others in Bukuyyum and Anka councils of Zamfara State.
This was made known by the Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, during a press briefing at the Nigeria Army Special Super Camp IV in Faskari Council of Katsina State.
Onyeuko who noted that the troops also recovered ammunition, including AK-47 rifles and Dane guns during the operation, added that the 150 suspects were arrested at an illegal mining site in Bukuyyum Council, reportedly used as a hideout. He said following the arrest, one of the suspects tried to escape, but was shot in the process.
The mining site is suspected to be harnessed and proceeds used to finance activities of bandits in the state, he added. His words: “On August 23, 2020, troops conducted a well-coordinated intelligence-based operation leading to the raid of an illegal mining site along Gadan Zaima/Zuru road in Bukuyyum, which also serves as bandits’ hideout.
“During the operation, troops arrested 150 suspects and recovered 20 locally-fabricated Dane guns. One of the suspects was neutralised while trying to escape.”
He said further that preliminary investigation reveals that aside sabotaging the nation’s economy, banditry is being financed through illegal mining activities.
“During the encounter, one of the bandits was neutralised while others escaped. Troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and magazine loaded with five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and two motorcycles from the fleeing bandits,” the army chief stated.
The Air Task Force of Nigerian Military Operation Lafiya Dole yesterday July 15, 2020 destroyed a Boko Haram Terrorists’ (BHTs’) Camp and killing several fighters belonging to the group during massive air strikes executed at Ngwuri Gana along the Gulumba Gana – Kumshe axis in the Northern part of Borno State, Nigeria.
The air strike operation was on Tuesday disclosed in a statement by the Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Major General, John Enenche, who stated that the operation was carried out after receiving human intelligence reports that confirmed the raided settlement was one of the locations used by Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) to launch attacks against Nigerian troops and villages around Kumshe area.
According to the defence chief noted that aerial surveillance missions also confirmed the heavy presence of a large number of BHTs in the settlement, some of whom were seen slinging their rifles.
“The Air Task Force therefore launched coordinated attacks on the various targets within the settlement, employing an enhanced force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships.
“The attack aircraft took turns in engaging the designated locations within the settlement, scoring devastating hits which led to the destruction of several structures, including the Communication Centres, as well as the neutralization of several terrorists”, Major General Enenche said.
Enenche further disclosed that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, commended the Air Task Force team for their dedication, dexterity and professionalism.
“The Defence Headquarters equally urges them to intensify the air offensive against the terrorists and all other criminal elements threatening the peace and security of our beloved country”, Major General Enenche added.
Defence Headquarters believes that the successful air strike operation is In continuation of the sustained offensive against terrorist elements in the North-East of the Country.
Photos:
Aerial view of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) camp in Ngwuri Gana along the Gulumba Gana – Kumshe axis in the Northern part of Borno State, Nigeria, captured by Air Force fighter jets, July 15, 2020. Credit: Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria.Aerial view of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) camp in Ngwuri Gana along the Gulumba Gana – Kumshe axis in the Northern part of Borno State, Nigeria, captured by Air Force fighter jets, July 15, 2020. Credit: Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria.Aerial view of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) camp in Ngwuri Gana along the Gulumba Gana – Kumshe axis in the Northern part of Borno State, Nigeria, captured by Air Force fighter jets, July 15, 2020. Credit: Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai has lunched “Operation Sahel Sanity” to tackle terrorism, banditry, Cattle rustling, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the Northwestern part of the country.
The Operation which was flagged off at the Nigerian Army Super Camp 4, Faskari in Katsina State was designed to flush out criminals in Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto and Niger states.
Lt. Gen. Buratai explained that, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the military to end all act of terrorism and other criminal activities in the country, hence the need to adopt new tactics to accomplish the task.
He said, Special Forces would continue onslaught to flush out bandits terrorizing innocent people in the region, as operation end in September, 2020.
Similarly the COAS inaugurated Ten military operation vehicles named, Mime Resistance Ambush Protector (MRAPs) nicknamed CONCARARS, Constructed by the 107 Brigade Maiduguri using Local materials with a view to boosting military operations to ensure peace and security across the country.
The Nigerian Army however, appealed for the support of Nigerians by providing information that would lead to curbing criminal activities.
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