By Abdullahi Idris, Bauchi The Commander-General of the Bauchi State Vigilante and Youth Empowerment Agency, Dr Umar Aliyu Shayi...
The Commander-General of the Bauchi State Vigilante and Youth Empowerment Agency, Dr Umar Aliyu Shayi, has disclosed that no fewer than 100 victims have been rescued from bandits’ captivity during recent coordinated security operations across the state.
Dr Shayi also stated that a significant number of armed bandits were neutralised during the operations, although the previously reported figure of “20,000” could not be independently verified.
According to him, Bauchi State is now largely free from criminal activities linked to banditry and related offences that had plagued parts of the state for a prolonged period.
Addressing journalists at his office in Bauchi, the Commander-General explained that combined troops of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies successfully dismantled several bandits’ camps through sustained offensive operations.
He added that troops overran criminal hideouts in the Dajin Madam forests, destroying their logistics bases and forcing many of the bandits to flee.
Dr Shayi attributed the successes to the coordinated efforts of security agencies under the Office of the National Security Adviser, led by Nuhu Ribadu.
He further revealed that aerial operations involving military fighter jets targeted and bombarded identified bandits’ hideouts, leading to the destruction of camps and disruption of criminal activities within the forests.
“Several motorcycles used by the bandits were destroyed, significantly limiting their mobility and operational capacity,” he said.
The Director-General commended security personnel for maintaining a strong presence in the affected areas to consolidate gains and prevent the re-infiltration of fleeing bandits.
He noted that the operations uncovered large settlements of armed groups, prompting decisive responses through coordinated ground offensives and aerial bombardments, supported by effective intelligence gathering. He added that many bandit networks have been dismantled.
In a related development, the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, announced new security measures as part of broader reforms aimed at sustaining peace in the state.
The governor said the measures include stricter surveillance systems, biometric data collection, and intelligence-led monitoring of activities in markets, motor parks, and other public spaces.
He also disclosed plans to strengthen community-based security by recruiting and supporting local vigilante groups to complement formal security agencies.
Governor Mohammed called on residents to cooperate with security agencies and remain vigilant, assuring that the government is committed to ensuring lasting peace, economic development, and sustainable stability across the state.
No comments