By Our Correspondent
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle, has announced progress in the federal government’s campaign against banditry, stating that most bandit leaders have been eliminated through sustained military operations. He added that the remaining groups now consist of small, scattered elements with limited operational capability.
In a briefing on the state of national security, Matawalle said the Armed Forces, working alongside intelligence agencies, have intensified coordinated ground and air offensives across affected states. These efforts, he noted, have dismantled key command structures that once enabled bandit groups to organize large-scale attacks and operate from extensive forested areas.
The minister explained that improved cooperation among security agencies has created clearer intelligence pathways, allowing troops to strike more precisely at known hideouts. He reported that many notorious leaders were neutralized during targeted operations, while others abandoned their bases due to continuous pressure.
Matawalle said that although isolated threats remain, they no longer possess the strength to carry out coordinated assaults. He stressed that the military is now focused on locating the remaining elements and preventing any attempt at regrouping.
He urged residents of affected communities to continue cooperating with security personnel by providing credible information that can assist ongoing operations.
