By Abba Kabara
Following a new strategic military operation and aggressive approach against banditry and other forms of Crimes in the Northwest zone, the Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig Gen. Bernard Onyeuku has given a detailed account of success recorded within the short period of its inception.
Onyeuku spoke on Sunday at a press briefing in Faskari Special Super Camp Katsina state.
He said the new strategy has proved to be a success, saying many bandits’ groups have either been dislodged or silenced in the military assault on the criminals.
He explained that few hours after the inauguration of the operation, a distress call was received of an attack by bandits in Yar Gamji in Batsari LGA of Katsina state, when the troops quickly moblised to the area and engaged the criminals.
He said scores were neutralised in the process, adding that the situation was quickly brought under control and the troops subsequently occupied the area for security.
He recalled that on 7July 2020, following the receipt of credible intelligence on the sighting of armed bandits at Magira, Makwaruwa, Garin Damo, Kasale Made, Dadin Kowa, Gangara and Shadama in Sabon Birni and Isa LGAs of Sokoto State, “our troops immediately mobilized to the area and pursued the armed bandits who exchanged fire with the troops.
He said due to superior fire power, two of the fleeing bandits were neutralized while many others escaped with gunshot wounds.” One motorcycle was recovered from the bandits”
According to him, on the same day, an aggressive fighting patrol of troops intercepted bandits with large number of rustled cattles from Jangemi village forest to Kwaren Ganuwa and on sighting the troops, the bandits fled towards Munhaye Forest, stressing that the troops recovered 250 Cows and 150 Rams after the encounter.
He added that another feat was achieved on the same day, explaining that armed bandits and cattle rustlers were sighted crossing Kwaren Ganuwa towards Tsafe, when the troops quickly pursued them, “and after exchange of fire, the bandits abandoned their loot and fled, while the troops recovered 117 cows and 34 sheep”.
“Similarly, on receiving a credible intelligence, the troops launched a sudden ambush at Gidan Jaja in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State where the bandits fled with heavy gunshot wounds, abandoning one AK 47 rifle in the process” Onyeuku said.
