Bauchi Residents Return Home as Army Clears Bandits in Alkaleri -

Residents of Mansur community in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State have begun returning to their homes after weeks of displacement, following successful military operations that cleared bandit groups from the area.

The return comes after nearly two months of displacement caused by an armed attack on February 26, 2026, which forced villagers to flee their homes and abandon farmlands.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 33 Artillery Brigade, Lt.

Oluwakemi Fagbolagun, the renewed safety in the community followed a series of coordinated military offensives targeting criminal hideouts across Bauchi and neighbouring states.

The operations, conducted under Operation Bugun Karkanda III and supported by Operation Wutan Daji, were launched by the Nigerian Army to flush out terrorists from forested enclaves and restore stability in affected regions.

Vigilante Killed, Four Bandits Neutralised in Bauchi Ambush

Police Find Body of Abducted Child in Bauchi

Cousins Arrested for Abduction, Death of Young Boy in Bauchi

Fagbolagun explained that the missions led to the clearance of several known criminal hideouts, including Dajin Madam Forest in Plateau State, Kumbodoro Forest in Taraba State, and other identified locations such as Yankari Game Reserve, Bogwas, Rimi, Odere Forest, Shirnagol, Wanka, and Kukarlwa.

She added that troops also secured key communities in Taraba and Plateau States, including Kumbodoro town and Angwan Jauro Sule, paving the way for the liberation of previously occupied settlements such as Mansur.

With the successful operations, the military has now transitioned into a consolidation phase, which involves handing over cleared communities to relevant security agencies and government institutions to ensure sustained peace and safe resettlement of displaced persons.

Returning residents were seen expressing relief as they inspected damaged homes and began clearing overgrown vegetation, signaling the gradual resumption of normal life.

Community leaders reportedly commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for the intervention that restored calm to the area.

Meanwhile, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, noted that recent coordinated security efforts involving the military, air force, intelligence agencies, and local vigilantes had resulted in significant gains against armed groups operating in the region.