By George Coben, Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has said that a major crackdown by the Nigerian Army, NA, has led to the dismantling of all bandit camps across forest corridors linking Bauchi with Plateau and Taraba States.
The Governor who revealed this at a press conference shortly after a closed door meeting with security agencies and traditional rulers of the affected communities, explained that soldiers overran the the bandits camps, destroyed their logistics in Dajin Madam forest.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the office of the national security adviser, ONSA, who listened to the complaints of the people of Bauchi by taking decisive action that neutralized more than 20,000 bandits hiding in Dajin Madam and Taraba state forests.
Governor Mohammed reportedly confirmed that the government sent about 4 war planes that bombed the bandits and successfully cleared several of their camps, disrupting their criminal activities within the forests, adding that several bandits were neutralized during the operation, while others fled under sustained military pressure.
“Several motorcycles used by the criminals were destroyed, limiting their mobility and operational capability, through the troops’ established firm hold within the forests to consolidate gains and prevent re-infiltration by fleeing bandits.
“The operation uncovered large settlements of armed groups, prompting a decisive response by security agencies through coordinated ground and intelligence backed aerial actions.
“We have opened a surrender window for bandits operating within and around the state. We urge them to lay down their arms as part of efforts to consolidate recent security gains.
“We are calling on those still in hiding to surrender within this period. This is not amnesty, but a chance to return and reintegrate under government supervision,” the Governor advised.
While emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that combines enforcement with an opportunity for rehabilitation, Governor Mohammed said that arrangements are being considered to relocate those who surrender, including their families, while noting that many of the suspects are not originally from Bauchi State.
He said as part of broader security reforms, more serious surveillance measures, including biometric data collection, intelligence-led monitoring, and verification of activities in markets, motor parks, and public spaces would be undertaken.
The Governor said that his administration also plans to strengthen community-based security systems by recruiting and supporting local vigilante to complement formal security agencies, adding that the new measures are aimed at preventing the creation of ungoverned spaces that could serve as safe havens for criminal elements.
Governor Mohammed therefore called on residents to cooperate with security agencies and remain vigilant, assuring that efforts are on going to ensure lasting peace and stability.
