In a decisive security operation, Nigerian military forces have successfully prevented a planned attack by armed bandits in Plateau State, resulting in the elimination of one terrorist and the recovery of a cache of weapons.
Intelligence-Led Operation Thwarts Community Assault
Acting on credible intelligence, troops from the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, operating under the Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP), moved to intercept the bandits. The intelligence indicated that a group was mobilising to launch an attack on a community within the Bokkos Local Government Area.
The proactive mission was executed in the early hours of Wednesday, December 24, 2025, specifically in the Gwande Community of the Monguna District. This action forms a critical part of the decisive phase of the ongoing Operation PEACE SHIELD, which aims to guarantee peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations across the region.
Firefight and Recovery of Arms
During the operation, the troops made contact with the armed criminals and engaged them in a fierce gun battle. The superior firepower and tactics of the soldiers forced the bandits to scatter in confusion and retreat.
One of the bandits, identified as Mallam Yahuza Abdullahi, aged 35, was neutralised in the encounter. Following the engagement, the troops conducted a search and recovered significant items from the scene, including:
- One fabricated revolver rifle
- One fabricated pistol
- Nine rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition
- Six cartridges
Community Relief and Ongoing Pursuit
Preliminary information gathered from the Gwande Community revealed that the neutralised bandit was a known member of a criminal syndicate responsible for terrorising the area and its environs. His elimination has brought a sense of relief to the local residents.
Determined to completely dismantle the threat, the troops have immediately commenced follow-up operations. These operations are focused on tracking down, intercepting, and arresting the other members of the syndicate who fled the scene during the confrontation.
This successful operation underscores the Nigerian Army's commitment to leveraging intelligence and maintaining offensive pressure against criminal elements to safeguard lives and property, especially during the festive season.
