Army clears bandits’ camps, rescues 8 victims in Bauchi forest operation

The Nigerian Army says troops of Operation Wutan Daji have cleared several bandits’ camps in Kumbodoro Forest, rescuing eight kidnapped victims and recovering arms and other items.

This is contained in an operational report on Tuesday in Abuja.

The report said the operation was conducted by troops of 33 Artillery Brigade in conjunction with a team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

According to the report, the troops, led by Brig.-Gen. S.S. Shehu, carried out the clearance operation in Kumbodoro Forest and surrounding villages as part of ongoing offensives.

It said several bandits were neutralised during the operation, while their camps, including the Azuge camp, were destroyed.

The report added that troops recovered four rifles, four dane guns, boots, helmets and other combat-related equipment.

“Other items recovered include communication devices, ATM cards, identification cards, photographs, radio chargers and uniforms belonging to security agencies,” it stated.

It also noted that leg chains believed to have been used to restrain kidnapped victims were recovered from the camps.

The report said eight abducted persons were rescued during the operation and were receiving necessary attention.

“In a related development, troops deployed at Duguri, in collaboration with vigilantes, recovered 36 cows suspected to have fled from bandits’ camps.

“The cows are currently in troops’ custody for further action,” it added.

The report further stated that troops’ morale and combat efficiency remained high amid sustained operations across the theatre.