Troops of One Mechanized Division of the Nigerian Army have killed suspected armed bandits and cattle rustlers during an operation in some states across the North West zone.
This was disclosed by the General Officer Commanding, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, during an assessment tour of areas of operations under his command.
He said that soldiers also killed two suspected armed robbers and recovered some weapons and a stolen vehicle at Panbegwa village in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Major General Adeniyi announced that the division, in an effort to flush out criminals especially armed bandits and cattle rustlers that have been terrorizing rural communities in the two north west and some parts of the north central, has intensified operations in states within the two zones.
The new onslaught, code-named ‘Operation Sharan Daji’, according to the GOC, has started yielding positive result as hundreds of stolen cattle have been recovered from the criminals while several of their camps have been destroyed.
Addressing the troops during the assessment tour, Major General Adeniyi commended their effort so far in ensuring that the criminals are completely flushed out.
He cautioned them to carry out their operations in accordance with the military rules of engagement and to also protect the rights of the civilians in the areas.
He assured the troops that their welfare would be adequately addressed, stating that the accommodation challenge being faced by some of them has been addressed by the Chief of Army Staff, LT General Tukur Buratai.
