By Ahmed Attahir, Gusau
The Nigerian army troops of Operation Sahel Sanity, aim at combating the menace of banditry and other crimes, have killed 12 bandits, arrested 4 suspected armed robbers, dressed in military uniform in the Northwest zone.
Addressing a press conference on Friday at Army super camp Faskari, katsina state, the Acting Director Defence Media operation, Brig General Benard Onyeuko said the troops have intensified their offensive clearance operations and fighting patrols.
“These ongoing operations, without doubt, have led to the achievement of tremendous successes such as neutralization of bandits, recovery of arms, destruction of bandit’s camps, rescue of kidnapped victims, arrest of suspected bandits and their collaborators.
“On 15 November 2020, our gallant troops while conducting routine night patrol came in contact with armed bandits at Yar Tasha Village in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State. On sighting the troops advance, the criminals immediately started firing sporadically but the troops displayed tactical superiority, closed in and overpowered the bandits with overwhelming firepower”.
According to him, 3 of the bandits were neutralized, 3 AK-47 rifles with 3 magazines loaded with live rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition were recovered by the troops.
“Some of the bandits however, managed to escape by the skin of their teeth with varying degrees of injuries, similarly, on 16 November 2020, the gallant troops while acting on credible intelligence about kidnappers activities at Garin Arawa in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State, swiftly moved to the area and made contact with the criminals.
“During the encounter, the gallant troops neutralized one of the kidnappers as others escaped in disarray into the bushes owing to troops superior fighting prowess, in the aftermath of the encounter, troops recovered one AK-47 Rifle mounted with a magazine and one motorcycle”.
He disclosed that troops conducted a robust clearance operation and assaulted bandits enclaves at Mararaban Kawaye and Gobirawa villages in Safana LGA of Katsina State respectively.
“The gallant troops encountered initial resistance at Gobirawa but successfully over-powered the bandits, in the aftermath of the encounter, 6 bandits were neutralized while 4 AK-47 Rifles, 3 Dane guns and 2 motorcycles were captured.”
He further said acting on timely information, the troops smashed a bandit’s syndicate hideout at Galadi village in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State. “During the operation, 2 bandits were neutralized. A meticulous cordon and search by the troops led to the recovery of 2 AK-47 Rifles in the hideout”.
“troops conducting farm patrol along Gidan Ruwa axis of Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State, came into contact with some marauding bandits. On sighting the advancing troops, the suspects fired sporadically in an attempt to escape.”
“The resilient troops pursued them with heavy volume of fire leading to the neutralization of one of the escaping bandits and recovering of one AK-47 Rifle loaded with 29 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition in the process”.
He said in other operations conducted, on, troops deployed at Forward Operation Base Faskari during a routine patrol arrested, 2 suspected bandits’ collaborators named Lawal Madawaki and Hassan Ali at Gobirawa village in Faskari LGA of Katsina State.
“The troops acting on credible Information arrested 3 suspected bandits’ collaborators named Abdulmumini Maidoka, Lawal Abdullahi and Sanusi Abdullahi at Majafa village in Kankara LGA of Katsina State” he said.
The troops also raided an illegal mining site at Kadauri area in Maru LGA of Zamfara State and arrested 11 suspected illegal miners.
“On 24 November 2020, following credible information, troops busted a cattle rustlers camp at Dankori village in Mani LGA of Katsina State, arrested 3 suspected cattle rustlers while 300 cows were also recovered at the scene”.
Similarly, on 28 November 2020, troops while on routine border patrol intercepted and apprehended 4 suspected armed robbers dressed in military camouflage inside a Honda vehicle at Macrine village in Yelwa LGA of Kebbi State.
“We still solicit for more timely information that will assist the troops in their operations” he added.
