Soldiers of the 3 Division and Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, carried out fresh raids in Plateau State that led to the death of a bandit and the recovery of weapons and other items.
The army confirmed the operations took place on September 15 and 16 in Wase and Kanam local government areas.
According to the task force, troops mounted an ambush on September 16 along routes leading into Odare Forest at Dutsen Zaki, Wase. Bandits travelling on motorcycles ran into the operation, sparking a brief clash. One was killed while others escaped into the forest with gunshot injuries. A motorcycle, two phones, a machete, and charms were seized.
The previous day, September 15, soldiers moved against bandits at key crossing points around Garga, Showaka, Yuli, and Kukawa villages. They engaged the armed group and forced them to retreat after a heavy exchange of fire. During the sweep that followed, a G3 rifle, a magazine, and three rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered.
The army said the raids were part of ongoing efforts to stop the movement of criminal groups and weaken their operations across Plateau. It added that troops would continue to target hideouts and deny bandits the space to regroup or operate freely.
The crackdown comes days after troops of the 12 Brigade, in collaboration with hybrid forces under Operation Accord III, killed a wanted bandit commander, Babangida Kachala, in Kogi State. In a separate encounter, another notorious leader, Kachalla Balla, was killed alongside five members of his gang.
The military has continued to increase its operations in the North Central region in response to repeated attacks on villages by armed groups.