Troops of Operation Sahel Sanity have in their recent operations killed 12 armed bandits, recovered 11 AK-47 Rifles along with three dane guns across Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States.
During the operations conducted between 12th-29th November 2020, eight suspected bandits collaborators along with 11 illegal miners were equally arrested.
The Acting Director of the Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko represented by the Nigerian Army Operations Media Co-ordinator, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu disclosed this on Friday at a press briefing held at the Special Army Super Camp 4, Faskari, Katsina South.
Iliyasu further noted that four suspected armed robbers and three cattle rustlers were nabbed by the troops while 300 cows were recovered during the operations.
During this period he said, the troops have intensified their offensives such as clearance operations, fighting patrols, ambushes, raid operations, and other military measures to crack down on the activities of these criminals.
He used the opportunity to thank Nigerians in the North-West zone for their support and cooperation without which he observed the tremendous successes achieved so far and would not have been possible, soliciting more timely information that will assist the troops in their operations.
According to iliyasu, the Nigerian Army is resolute in bringing an end to banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other sundry crimes in the Northwest zone, commending the gallant troops for their commitment and resilience in the course of these operations.
“Some of the successes recorded during the period are as follows;
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. In the process 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 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”.
In another development, on November 21 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. Troops continue to crackdown on the nefarious activities of the bandits and other criminal elements in the general area”.
The troops acting on credible Information arrested three suspected bandits’ collaborators named Abdulmumini Maidoka, Lawal Abdullahi and Sanusi Abdullahi at Majafa village in Kankara LGA of Katsina State.
The Suspects were apprehended in connection with alleged involvement in banditry activities in the general area. Additionally, troops during a raid operation at an identified bandits associates’ hideout at Maikano village in Jibia LGA of Katsina State arrested 2 suspects named Lawal Danladi and Rane Bello”.
“Equally, on the same day, troops acting on a tip-off arrested a suspected bandits collaborator named Bello Ardo at Yargoje in Kankara LGA of the state, the suspect was arrested following credible Information about his unwholesome activities with suspected bandits in the area”.
“In another development, on November 2020, troops raided an illegal mining site at Kadauri area in Maru LGA of Zamfara State and arrested 11 suspected illegal miners.
Furthermore, on November 24, following credible information, troops busted a cattle rustlers camp at Dankori village in Mani LGA of Katsina State. leading to the arrest of 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. All arrested suspects have been handed over to appropriate authorities for prosecution”.
It could be recalled that the troops had during series of operations conducted between September 4th to October 25th, 2020 killed 38 Bandits, arrested 93 Bandits’ Logistics Suppliers, foiled 47 Attacks and destroy 10 Bandits Camps in the region.
