By ZAGAZOLA MAKAMA

Troops of the Nigerian Army under the command of 1 Division, Sector 1 Operation FANSAN YANMA, have successfully neutralized 239 violent extremists and insurgents while recovering a significant cache of weapons and ammunition across Kaduna and Niger states, a top military officer has disclosed.

Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Sadiq Muhammed Wase, during the operational briefing to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, said the successes were part of sustained clearance operations, patrols, ambushes, raids, and anti-kidnapping missions aimed at denying terrorists freedom of action in the sector.

The operations, he said, led to the recovery of 185 assorted weapons and 5,860 rounds of ammunition from identified insurgent enclaves and hideouts. “Our offensive and non-kinetic operations continue to degrade terrorist capabilities and disrupt their operational networks,” Maj.-Gen. Wase said.

He highlighted that the Division’s area of responsibility, which covers Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, and Niger states, is characterised by rugged terrain, dense forests, and underdeveloped infrastructure, which terrorists exploit as hideouts. Despite these challenges, he said the coordinated use of mobile combat units, light mobility platforms such as motorcycles and gun trucks, and aerial surveillance have restricted insurgent movements and enhanced operational coverage.

Maj.-Gen. Wase also noted the recovery of over 1,091 life-support items, 364 vehicles and motorcycles, and the rescue of 563 kidnapped victims since the Division assumed operational control. He attributed the success to a combination of kinetic operations, intelligence-led targeting, and inter-agency collaboration, which have strengthened the Division’s capacity to dominate its area of responsibility.

He noted that the Nigerian Army has strengthened its commitment to community development and civil-military cooperation with the completion and commissioning of a new primary school in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State.

The unveiling of the Chidambere Community Primary School was part of a broader initiative by 1 Division, Sector 1 Operation FANSAN YANMA, to complement military operations with developmental interventions aimed at winning the hearts and minds of local communities.

Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Sadiq Muhammed Wase, who briefed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, said the project was commissioned and handed over to the Kaduna State Government as part of the Division’s ongoing non-kinetic engagements.

He explained that the Army’s engagement in education, healthcare, and infrastructure is designed to enhance civilian confidence, reduce community vulnerability to terrorist influence, and strengthen local cooperation with security agencies. “The school will serve as a symbol of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to peace, stability, and sustainable development in conflict-affected communities,” Maj.-Gen. Wase said.

The commissioning follows a series of non-kinetic initiatives, including medical outreaches in Tutunbiri, Amarabanjoz, and other affected communities, aimed at ameliorating humanitarian challenges created by prior security operations and air component strikes.

He noted also that as part of ongoing efforts to reduce insurgent influence and promote peace, the Nigerian Army has successfully facilitated the surrender of several terrorist groups operating in Kaduna State, Maj Gen Abubakar Sadiq Muhammed Wase has disclosed.

The surrenders were achieved through a reconciliation and engagement team constituted in collaboration with the Kaduna State Government and the Office of the National Security Adviser. Targeted localities included Chukun, Egebi, Ndiwa, and Birnin Gwari LGAs, where terrorists were encouraged to lay down arms and accept government amnesty.

Maj Gen Wase revealed that 16 notorious terrorist groups, including Dogo Gide, Yelo Jamboros, Kolo Meri, Alhajilabi, Bilia, Gwamna, and Kabiru Boderi, expressed willingness to surrender. Weapons and ammunition were recovered during the process, and 142 kidnapped victims were released without ransom, including Dr. Daniel Okuola, a medical doctor who had been abducted in 2023 from the National Eye Centre, Kaduna.

The GOC emphasised that these non-kinetic engagements do not reduce the intensity of ongoing kinetic operations. Rather, they complement military efforts by isolating terrorists from vulnerable communities, gathering intelligence, and strengthening civil-military relations.

He noted that the Division’s integrated approach of reconciliation, civil engagement, and targeted operations has strengthened public confidence in the military and supported the broader aim of restoring peace and security across the sector.

Maj Gen Wase said the Division remains committed to sustaining dialogue with repentant elements while continuing offensive operations against those who reject government amnesty. (Zagazola)