By: Zagazola Makama
Gallant troops of the Nigerian Army’s 33 Artillery Brigade have launched a major offensive against terrorist and bandit hideouts in Dajin Madam Forest, straddling Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas of Plateau State, destroying several camps and neutralising two armed criminals during successive encounters.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation commenced at about 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 8, 2026, with troops advancing into the forest in a coordinated offensive against criminal elements operating within the area.
During the operation, the troops successfully cleared several terrorist camps across five identified locations within the forest, denying the criminals access to their established hideouts and support infrastructure.
The troops subsequently destroyed and burnt the terrorists’ life-support structures, including facilities believed to have sustained their presence and operations in the forest.
The offensive gathered momentum at about 3:41 p.m. when troops made contact with the armed bandits at another location within the forest.
The soldiers engaged the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.
Evidence of the effectiveness of the engagement was indicated by bloodstains observed along the bandits’ withdrawal routes, suggesting that some of the fleeing criminals might have sustained gunshot injuries.
Undeterred, the troops continued exploiting the general area, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of ammunition, communication equipment, mobility assets and other logistics.
Items recovered included 135 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, PKT ammunition links, two motorcycles, two drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), two communication radios and four mobile phones.
The troops also recovered three woodland and desert camouflage uniforms, two Keystone camouflage uniforms and other sundry items believed to be associated with the activities of the criminal group.
In a further demonstration of sustained combat pressure, the troops made another contact with the fleeing bandits at about 6:30 p.m. during a pursuit operation.
The soldiers engaged the criminals, neutralising two bandits close to Kukawa village in Kanam Local Government Area.
Two additional motorcycles were also recovered during the encounter.
Following the successful engagements, the troops moved to a harbour position at Kukawa, where they continued to maintain their operational presence in the area.
The operation represents a significant offensive against armed criminal networks using the Dajin Madam Forest corridor as a hideout, with the destruction of their camps, recovery of ammunition and logistics, and the neutralisation of two bandits further disrupting their operational capabilities.
The sustained advance by the troops also illustrated the Nigerian Army’s determination to deny terrorists and bandits safe havens in the forests linking Kanam and Wase, while maintaining pressure on fleeing elements.
