KEY POINTS

• Nigerian Army destroys 70 bandit camps in Taraba, killing three terrorists and seizing weapons in a major security operation.
• Brigade commander vows to sustain offensive, urging civilians to report insurgent activities to security forces.
• Operation marks progress in counter-terrorism efforts, though long-term stability depends on continued military-community collaboration.

The Nigerian Army has announced a major breakthrough in its counter-insurgency operations, destroying over 70 bandit camps and eliminating three terrorists during a clearance operation in Taraba State.

The operation, conducted on April 5, 2025, targeted hideouts in the Karim Lamido Local Government Area as part of ongoing efforts to by the Army dismantle terrorist networks in the region.

According to Captain Oni Olubodunde, spokesperson for the 6 Brigade, troops from the Nigerian Army and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) carried out the offensive under “Operation Lafiya Jama’a.” “The brave troops successfully neutralised three bandits, destroyed several camps, and seized weapons and ammunition during a daring clearance operation,” Olubodunde stated.

According to Saharareporters, the Army recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and two motorcycles during the raid. The operation began in Achelle before advancing to Chibi, where troops intercepted fleeing bandits, leading to a firefight that resulted in the terrorists’ elimination.

“No safe haven for criminals” – Army vows sustained offensive

Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, Commander of the 6 Brigade, commended the troops for their effectiveness and reassured residents of Taraba State that security operations would continue until criminal elements are fully eradicated.

“Terrorists and criminals will find no refuge in this region,” Uwa declared, urging civilians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

The military’s recent successes follow weeks of intensified operations in Taraba, where banditry and kidnapping have plagued rural communities.

Over 70 makeshift camps have been dismantled in the Dutsen Zaki and Achalle areas, significantly disrupting insurgent logistics networks.

General Uwa emphasized the importance of community cooperation in maintaining security. “Timely and credible information from the public is crucial to our operations,” he said, calling for stronger collaboration between civilians and security agencies.

The latest operation underscores the military’s renewed push to stabilize Nigeria’s northeast, where armed groups have exploited remote terrains to launch attacks. Analysts suggest that sustained pressure on terrorist hideouts could weaken their operational capacity, though challenges remain in preventing regrouping.