Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has announced that offensive operations by the Nigerian Army have successfully dismantled all bandit camps within the state. The Governor disclosed this during a press briefing following a closed-door meeting with security agencies and traditional rulers at the Government House in Bauchi.
- +Insecurity: We have defeated bandits in Bauchi, says Governor Bala Mohammed
The decision to escalate operations followed a major security crackdown that exposed widespread banditry across forest corridors linking Bauchi with Plateau and Taraba states.
The decision to escalate operations followed a major security crackdown that exposed widespread banditry across forest corridors linking Bauchi with Plateau and Taraba states. Governor Mohammed noted that soldiers overran several camps and destroyed logistics bases in the Dajin Madam forest.
Aerial strikes and ground offensives Governor Mohammed commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for their decisive response to the state’s security concerns. He revealed that four warplanes were deployed to bombard criminal hideouts, successfully clearing several camps and disrupting the mobility of the armed groups.
“Several motorcycles used by the criminals were destroyed, limiting their operational capability,” the Governor stated, adding that troops have now established a firm presence within the forests to consolidate these gains and prevent re-infiltration.
Surrender window and community surveillance The state government has opened a “surrender window” for bandits operating within and around Bauchi, advising them to lay down their arms. Governor Mohammed clarified that this initiative is not an amnesty but a supervised opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration.
“We are calling on those still in hiding to surrender within this period,” the Governor said. He added that the government is considering arrangements to relocate those who surrender along with their families, noting that many suspects are not originally from Bauchi State.
Biometric profiling and institutional reforms As part of broader security reforms, Governor Mohammed announced the introduction of stricter surveillance measures, including biometric data collection and intelligence-led monitoring of markets and motor parks. The state plans to collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to conduct a biometric profiling exercise of residents in vulnerable communities.
This initiative aims to eliminate “ungoverned spaces” that have previously been exploited by criminal elements to launch attacks. Furthermore, the state government intends to strengthen community-based security by recruiting and supporting local vigilante groups to complement formal security agencies.
Governor Mohammed reiterated his commitment to sustaining collaboration with traditional institutions and federal authorities to guarantee lasting peace and stability across the state.
