Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed two notorious bandit kingpins, Anaruwa and Gomina, alongside seven other fighters during a series of coordinated offensives in Zamfara State.
Military authorities said the two slain kingpins were linked to long-standing criminal networks operating across the region.
The operation, which spanned three days, was carried out in forested areas across Zamfara, targeting key transit routes and known hideouts used by armed groups.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, said troops encountered heavily armed fighters during a patrol, leading to an intense exchange of fire.
He explained that the initial confrontation forced some of the attackers to retreat under pressure.
“Troops maintained momentum and responded swiftly when the criminals attempted to regroup,” Osoba said, adding that reinforcements and coordinated support strengthened the military’s response.
He further disclosed that a second wave of attackers later launched a counteroffensive but was effectively repelled.
“Our personnel, backed by precision air support, engaged the advancing elements and neutralised several of them during the encounter,” he added.
Following the gun battle, troops recovered weapons from the scene, including assault rifles, ammunition, and several motorcycles believed to have been used for mobility by the armed groups.
However, the operation recorded a casualty on the military side. “One of our soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” Osoba confirmed.
He added that troops have since reinforced their positions to sustain operational dominance in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, the Army also reported parallel successes in neighbouring operations, where additional fighters were killed and more weapons were recovered.
The military command commended the troops for their resilience and professionalism, stressing that efforts to dismantle criminal networks remain ongoing.
It also urged residents to support security agencies with timely information, noting that community cooperation remains critical in sustaining recent gains.