Troops neutralise key bandit leaders along Gusau-Funtua highway

Nigerian troops of Combat Team 7 under Operation FANSAN YAMMA have neutralised several notorious bandit leaders and restored security along the strategic Funtua–Tsafe–Gusau highway.

The unit commander, Captain A.U. Usman, disclosed the development while addressing journalists on Saturday.

Speaking during a visit by Defence Correspondents to the unit’s operational base in Tsafe, Zamfara State, Usman said the achievements were recorded over the past six months through sustained offensive operations and strategic deployment of troops at identified bandit crossing points.

He said the troops eliminated notorious bandit commanders, including Kachalla Dan Agwal and Baban Baby, alongside several of their fighters during intelligence-led operations on January 14.

According to him, troops also neutralised another notorious bandit leader, Yunusa Dogon Ahmad, and several of his associates during clearance operations along the highway on February 15.

Usman said the military established several pickets along the Funtua–Tsafe–Gusau road, particularly at known bandit crossing routes previously used to ambush travellers.

He noted that the deployment had significantly reduced attacks on commuters, ending frequent incidents of kidnappings and armed assaults that once made the highway unsafe.

The commander said the improved security had restored public confidence, with motorists now able to travel freely along the route.

Beyond securing the highway, Usman said troops had also created a safer environment for farming activities across communities within the unit’s Area of Responsibility.

He disclosed that Combat Team 7 currently operates from about 13 operational locations, including Lilo, Mada, Wanzamai, Keta, FOB Railway, Gidan Giye, Keware and several blocking positions established to restrict the movement of criminal elements.

According to him, troops conduct daily foot patrols from these locations into surrounding communities and farmlands to ensure farmers carry out their activities without interference.

Usman, however, identified improvised explosive devices, IEDs, as one of the major challenges confronting troops, particularly on rural access roads.

He said Explosive Ordnance Disposal, EOD, teams had been deployed by the theatre headquarters to scan routes for IEDs before troop movements, reducing the risk posed by the explosives during operations.