Troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully foiled a planned banditry attack during a coordinated ambush operation in the Maraban Rido general area of Kaduna State.

In a late Saturday statement signed by Captain Bello Nuradeen, the Acting Staff Officer, Army Public Relations 1 Division Nigerian Army, the intelligence-led attack was carried out by troops of the Sector 1, Operation Fansan Yamma.

According to the statement, one of the criminals suspected of belonging to a violent extremist group was killed during the snap ambush operation.

The statement reads, “The Operations followed a distress call received late on 22 January 2026, indicating the presence of armed bandits that had rustled some livestock in Anguwan Fulan village within the Rido general area. Acting swiftly on the intelligence, troops deployed to the area with the aim of conducting a hasty ambush.

“Upon arrival, troops made contact with the fleeing bandits and engaged them with superior firepower, forcing the criminals to withdraw in disarray, with gunshot wounds.

“The troops further conducted aggressive exploitation of surrounding forested areas, including the Kankomi forest, where another contact was made at a suspected crossing point around Anguwan Sarki.”

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The statement added, “During the engagement, troops again overwhelmed the terrorists with high volume of fire, compelling them to abandon their loot and flee in disarray. This action led to the recovery of some rustled livestock.

“Further exploitation of the ambush location in the early hours of 23 January 2026 resulted in the neutralisation of one terrorist. Troops also recovered two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, and fifteen rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.”

The General Officer Commanding, Major General Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed Wase, has commended the gallant troops for their bravery and professionalism during the encounter.

He also charged them to sustain the tempo of Operations in pursuing the criminals around their hideouts.

The GOC reassures members of the public of the troops’ unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property and urges citizens to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.