He said coordinated ground and aerial operations had forced many criminal elements to flee their hideouts, significantly weakening armed groups and improving safety in affected communities. “We are pleased that normalcy is gradually returning due to the professionalism of security personnel and coordinated deployment across services,” he said. Mohammed revealed that the scale of bandit presence in some forest areas exceeded initial estimates, with large concentrations reportedly found in Dajin Madam forest and parts of neighbouring Taraba State.

He noted that these enclaves had been disrupted and largely dismantled. The governor said the operations, led by the Nigerian Air Force, other armed forces, intelligence agencies, and supported by vigilante groups, were driven by intensive intelligence gathering, aerial reconnaissance and coordinated strikes. He added that bandits’ supply routes and logistics chains had been destroyed, cutting off access to food, fuel and mobility.

Hundreds of motorcycles were also destroyed, while multiple camps were bombarded, forcing survivors to scatter, he added. The governor said security agencies are determined to sustain the offensive through continuous surveillance, targeted strikes and rapid response operations to prevent regrouping. He called on communities to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely intelligence, warning that anyone found aiding bandits would face serious consequences.

Mohammed also disclosed plans to strengthen community profiling through data and biometric capture of residents and new settlers to prevent ungoverned spaces. He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working closely with security agencies, traditional institutions and federal authorities to maintain peace.