Nigerian troops, police, and air forces are engaged in a fierce battle with approximately 240 armed bandits along the Zamfara-Kebbi border, as security forces move to prevent the attackers from advancing into nearby communities. The operation involves coordinated ground and aerial strikes, with residents in affected areas fleeing their homes for safety.
Bandits Emerge from Sangeko Gap
The armed group reportedly emerged from the Sangeko Gap in Zamfara State before moving towards Makuku town in Kebbi State on motorcycles. According to security sources, the bandits split into three formations as they advanced, heightening fears among residents in communities close to the border. The development has reportedly forced some residents to flee their homes for safer locations as security forces intensify efforts to contain the attackers.
Coordinated Military Response
The operation involves troops of the Nigerian Army’s COAS Intervention Battalion 3 under 8 Division, personnel of the Mobile Police Force, and the Air Component of Joint Task Force Operation FANSAN YAMMA. The security forces are conducting coordinated ground operations with aerial support, targeting the movement of the armed group and working to prevent them from gaining access to surrounding communities.
Residents in the affected areas have been urged to remain vigilant and comply with directives from security agencies while the operation continues. Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army/Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, confirmed the development to Daily Trust. He said the operation was still ongoing and that further details would be released after its conclusion.
Ongoing North-West Offensive
The latest confrontation comes amid sustained military operations across Nigeria’s North-West aimed at disrupting bandit networks, rescuing kidnapped victims, and restoring security in affected communities. The military has intensified its campaign against banditry, with airstrikes and ground offensives targeting hideouts and supply routes.
Security analysts note that the Zamfara-Kebbi border area has become a hotspot for bandit activity due to its rugged terrain and porous borders, which allow militants to move freely. The military’s proactive response aims to cut off these movements and protect civilian populations.
As the operation unfolds, local authorities are coordinating with military commanders to provide humanitarian support to displaced residents. The military has assured that it will continue to pursue the bandits until they are neutralized, while urging citizens to report suspicious activities to security agencies.
