ABUJA, Nigeria – July 11, 2025 — At least 30 armed gunmen were killed during a joint police and military operation in northwestern Nigeria following deadly attacks on villages, Kaduna State authorities announced Thursday.
The counter-assault, which took place on Wednesday, came less than 24 hours after dozens of assailants stormed multiple rural communities in Kaduna, leaving residents in panic and causing fatalities among both civilians and security personnel.
Nasir Mua’zu, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Home Affairs, confirmed in an official statement that three police officers and two soldiers were killed in the operation. He emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to partner with federal forces to curb the spread of armed violence across the region.
“We are working tirelessly with federal security agencies to ensure the safety of all citizens,” Mua’zu said.
Renewed Violence in Nigeria’s Northwest
This latest operation highlights the deepening security crisis in Nigeria’s northwest and north-central regions. These areas have witnessed a sharp rise in violent attacks from armed groups commonly referred to as “bandits.” These gangs have increasingly targeted rural settlements, highways, and farming communities, often killing, looting, or kidnapping for ransom.
Hundreds of such incidents have been recorded in 2025 alone, leading to the deaths and injuries of countless civilians and contributing to internal displacement. Wednesday’s raid is one of the largest single-day retaliatory actions by Nigerian security forces this year.
Security experts say the attackers typically operate in groups of 50 to 300 fighters, often armed with AK-47s, motorcycles, and even rocket-propelled grenades. Their ranks are largely composed of disbanded or marginalized herders, many of whom have taken up arms following long-standing disputes over land use and ethnic tensions.
The Roots of the Crisis
The banditry crisis in northwestern Nigeria has its roots in the breakdown of traditional grazing systems, competition over farmland, and prolonged government neglect of rural infrastructure. Over the years, many herders—predominantly Fulani—have clashed with sedentary farmers over access to land and water.
As trust in local governance eroded and economic opportunities dried up, many young men in the region joined armed gangs, finding illicit income through extortion, cattle rustling, and kidnappings. Over time, the region has become a patchwork of contested territories, where local authorities wield little control.
In the absence of adequate policing and sustained military presence, these groups have expanded their influence and developed sophisticated tactics, often using abductees as bargaining chips in negotiations with families and local governments.
Insurgency in the Northeast Further Stretches Nigeria's Security Forces
While northwest Nigeria struggles with banditry, the northeast remains embroiled in a decade-long insurgency led by Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). According to the United Nations, more than 35,000 people have been killed in the northeast conflict, and over two million displaced.
This multi-front security challenge places enormous strain on Nigeria’s overstretched military and law enforcement agencies. Analysts warn that unless the root causes—poverty, weak institutions, and local grievances—are addressed, military operations may only provide short-term relief.
Public Reactions and Human Toll
Residents in the affected villages have expressed relief at the swift response from the military but remain cautious about their safety moving forward.
“We are thankful they came this time, but we need more than one-time operations,” said Ibrahim Musa, a community leader in one of the attacked villages. “We need real protection, not just after people have died.”
Local human rights groups have also called for a broader civilian protection framework that includes investment in early warning systems, dialogue between farmers and herders, and increased funding for security forces.
The Nigerian government has pledged to boost surveillance and increase the number of rapid response units across the northern states. However, critics argue that previous promises have gone unfulfilled due to poor coordination and alleged corruption.
What Comes Next?
Despite the successful operation, experts caution that more must be done to dismantle the networks enabling banditry in the region. Many gangs rely on informants, supply chains, and porous borders to operate. Without regional collaboration and long-term reforms, authorities risk entering a cycle of retaliatory violence.
For now, the government says it is working on intelligence-led operations and will maintain its presence in vulnerable communities.
“We will not allow these criminals to continue terrorizing our people,” Mua’zu affirmed.
As Nigeria enters a critical period of economic recovery and political realignment, the outcome of its battle against armed groups will have far-reaching implications for national stability, investor confidence, and the safety of millions in the country’s northern regions.
This story was first reported by AP News.
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