Bala Mohammed Hails Tinubu, Military as Troops Dismantle Bandits Camps in Bauchi Forest Corridors

From David Omokuvie, Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and security agencies for what he described as a successful large-scale operation that dismantled bandits’ camps across forest corridors linking Bauchi, Plateau, Taraba, and parts of Gombe states.

The governor spoke during a press briefing after a closed-door security meeting with heads of security agencies and traditional rulers from affected communities.

He said the operation followed repeated appeals by the Bauchi State Government over worsening insecurity in Alkaleri Local Government Area and surrounding border communities.

According to Governor Mohammed, the security intervention uncovered the true scale of criminal activity in the region, with thousands of armed elements reportedly hiding in forests such as Dajin Madam and adjoining areas in Taraba State.

He said coordinated ground and aerial offensives, backed by intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, surveillance, and tracking, led to the destruction of several camps, disruption of supply routes, and the neutralisation of many bandits, while others fled under sustained military pressure.

The governor added that hundreds of motorcycles allegedly used by the criminal groups were destroyed, weakening their mobility and operational capacity.

“We have never witnessed this level of professionalism and federal support deployed to Bauchi, Plateau, and Taraba states,” he said.

Governor Mohammed stated that troops have now established security presence in key locations to prevent the regrouping of fleeing criminals, while aerial surveillance and rapid-response operations would continue.

He disclosed that the government has opened a temporary surrender window for bandits still hiding in and around the state, urging them to lay down their arms.

“This is not amnesty, but an opportunity to abandon violence and return under lawful supervision,” he said.

The governor noted that arrangements are being considered for the relocation and rehabilitation of those who surrender, including their families, stressing that many of them are not indigenes of Bauchi State.

As part of broader reforms, Governor Mohammed announced plans for biometric profiling of residents in vulnerable communities in collaboration with National Identity Management Commission and other federal agencies.

He said the exercise would help monitor population movement, strengthen intelligence gathering, and prevent the creation of ungoverned spaces that could serve as hideouts for criminal groups.

The governor also said local vigilante groups would be further strengthened to complement formal security agencies.

He called on residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious movements, and cooperate with security agencies to ensure lasting peace and stability across the state