Seven bandits have been reportedly killed by troops of Special Operation Forces deployed at Batsari during fierce engagements at different locations in the North West.
At Jigawar Mallamai in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State, four of the marauding bandits were killed and one AK 47 rifle and several motorcycles were captured and destroyed.
The troops also made contact with another band of bandits while conducting clearance operation on suspected bandits’ hideouts at Garin Maza, Tamuske, and Garin Bagwari villages in Sabon Birni Council Area of Sokoto State and three bandits were neutralized, while six motorcycles were recovered.
The criminals’ hideouts were also destroyed.
Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko in a statement also disclosed that five bandits were arrested at different locations, while 176 livestock were intercepted during the operation.
He said that troops of Operation Sahel Sanity a subsidiary operation to Operation Hadarin Daji has continued to achieve succeses throughout the Theatre of operation, as part of its continued robust clearance operations against armed bandits and other sundry criminals in the Northwest.
General Onyeuko said:
“On 14 July 2020 acting on credible intelligence troops arrested one bandit informant at Isa-Matete Junction in Isa LGA Area of Sokoto State. The suspect is currently undergoing interrogation.
“Similarly, acting on credible intelligence, troops deployed at Forward Operation Base Bingi arrested 5 suspected bandits while displaying 17 cows and a goat for sale at Bingi market in Maru LGA of Zamfara State. Preliminary investigation revealed that the animals were earlier rustled from Gabiya village.”
He also disclosed that troops deployed at Forward Operation Base Danjibga in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State handed over 121 cows and 37 sheeps recovered from rustlers to the committee for recovery of rustled animals for necessary action.
“Also, on 16 July 2020 troops of Forward Operation Base Dangulbi conducted clearance patrol to Dan Kaka and Dan Kura villages in Sabon Birni LGA of Sokoto State. The cowardly bandits fled and abandoned 3 motorcycles which were recovered by the troops,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai has commended the troops for their gallantry, successes and their resilience.
While assuring the people of the North-West zone of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the safety of lives and properties within the zone, Gen Buratai tasked troops not to rest on their oars.
