The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has disclosed that thousands of bandits were neutralised during a recent security offensive across parts of the state.
Mohammed made the disclosure on Monday during a press conference on the security situation in areas previously affected by banditry, particularly in Alkaleri Local Government Area and neighbouring states.
The governor attributed the success of the operation to the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, following requests made by the state government over escalating insecurity.
He expressed gratitude to the President, the Office of the National Security Adviser, security chiefs, and other stakeholders for what he described as a “monumental improvement” in the state’s security landscape.
According to him, coordinated efforts by the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigerian Air Force, the police, and intelligence agencies led to the disruption of major bandit enclaves.
“We are happy to say that the situation has been brought to normalcy. The deployment of security personnel across services has restored calm in the affected areas,” he said.
Mohammed revealed that security operatives uncovered extensive bandit settlements, estimated to house between 10,000 and 20,000 fighters, around forest regions, including Dajin Madam and parts of neighbouring states.
He noted that the camps had since been dismantled, while supply routes and logistics chains used by the criminals were destroyed.
The governor added that the operation, which lasted about two weeks, involved intensive intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, and coordinated ground assaults.
“Thousands of bandits and terrorists have been neutralised, while hundreds of motorcycles were destroyed. Several camps and settlements were bombarded and dismantled, forcing those remaining to flee,” he stated.
Mohammed further disclosed that security agencies had put Measures have been put in place to sustain the gains recorded, including continuous aerial surveillance, rapid response strategies, and prevention of regrouping by fleeing bandits.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely information, warning that anyone found aiding bandits with logistics or intelligence would be dealt with decisively.
The governor also called for improved community profiling and data collection, including biometric registration of residents, to prevent ungoverned spaces that could be exploited by criminal elements.