Displaced Bauchi residents return after military operations clear bandits

Residents of Mansur community in Bauchi State's Alkaleri Local Government Area have returned to their homes after being displaced by bandit attacks since February 26, 2026. This return, on April 22, 2026, follows clearance operations by the 33 Artillery Brigade, including Operation Bugun Karkanda III and Operation Wutan Daji. These operations cleared terrorists from Dajin Madam Forest in Plateau State, Kumbodoro Forest in Taraba State, Yankari Game Reserve, Bogwas, Rimi in Bauchi State, and other areas. The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 33 Artillery Brigade, Lt Oluwakemi Fagbolagun, stated that the operations led to the liberation of communities like Mansur and are now in a consolidation phase, involving handing over cleared areas to security agencies. Residents celebrated their return, with community leaders commending the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu. Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, previously reported the neutralization of thousands of bandits in recent security operations across the state, attributing the success to coordinated efforts by various security agencies following a request to President Bola Tinubu. The governor noted that the two-week operations involved intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, and the disruption of bandit camps and logistics networks. He urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies, warning against aiding bandits, and stressed the need for proper documentation of residents to preven