Troops wipe out 95 bandits in northwest Nigeria
Latest Nigerian Bandit Conflict Report
Recent Military Engagements
The Nigerian army reports a significant clash on Tuesday in the northwestern state of Niger. Air and ground forces launched coordinated air strikes and ground shootouts near the villages of Warari and Ragada in the Rijau local government area.
- At least 95 criminal gang members, known locally as “bandits,” were neutralized during the engagement.
- One Nigerian soldier lost his life in the firefight.
- Military statements describe the operation as “engaging terrorists” with an emphasis on “neutralizing several” adversaries.
Strategic Shift in Military Communication
Internal intelligence sources suggest the Nigerian military is reconsidering its public disclosure strategy. The army has recognized that overt publicizing of combat victories may inadvertently provide operational intelligence to both jihadist insurgents and bandit factions.
Broader Context of the Conflict
Bandit gangs maintain entrenched camps in a dense forest spanning Zamfara, katsina, kaduna, and niger states. The conflict originated from land disputes between herders and farmers and has since broadened into a larger arms trafficking crisis.
Recent Violence Incidents
- Motorcycle-riding bandits rounded up a group of farmers outside the Jangebe village in Zamfara, resulting in nine deaths and the abduction of around 15 individuals.
- In early May, a Kenyan military ambush in northwestern Kebbi state claimed at least 150 members of a criminal gang.
Impact on Civilian Populations
Despite improved cooperation between army and air force units, analysts warn that air strikes have unfortunately contributed to civilian casualties. According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), between 2018 and 2023, the death toll from bandit activities surpassed that from jihadist insurgencies.
