From Abba Kabara, Gusau.
Operation SAHEL SANITY, operating from Faskari Katsina state, says it has killed twelve bandits, recovers twenty six AK-47 rifles and three dane guns in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states between 12 to 29 of this month.
The acting director Defense Media operations Brigadier General Bernard Onyeuko who spoke through col. Aminu Ilyasu, announced this to the press today at Faskari Army Super Camp.
He said his troops have intensified their offensives such as clearance operations, fighting patrols, ambushes, raid operations and other military measures to crackdown on the activities of these criminals which according to him, have achieved tremendous successes.
He explained that on 15 November 2020, gallant troops came in contact with armed bandits at Yar Tasha Village in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State, and on sighting the troops, the criminals started firing but the troops closed in and overpowered the bandits.
In the process he said, 3 of the bandits were neutralized, 3 AK-47 rifles and 3 magazines loaded with live rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition were recovered by the troops explaining that some of the bandits however, managed to escape with varying degrees of injuries.
In a similar encounter according to the director, 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 faced the criminals.
“During the encounter, the gallant troops neutralized one of the kidnappers as others escaped into the bushe owing to troops superior fighting prowess” he said, adding that after the encounter, the troops recovered one AK-47 Rifle mounted with a magazine and one motorcycle.
In another development Brigadier general Benard discloses further that on 21 November 2020, the troops conducted a robust clearance Operation and assaulted bandits enclaves at Mararaban Kawaye and Gobirawa villages in Safana LGA of Katsina State respectively.
“The troops who encountered initial resistance by the bandits at Gobiraw, however succeeded in over-powering the bandits just as the troops killed 6 bandits and recovered 4 AK-47 Rifles, 3 Dane guns and 2 motorcycles.
Again, Mr. Benard revealed that on 21 November 2020, troops acting on timely information smashed a bandit’s syndicate hideout at Galadi village in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara state during which 2 bandits were neutralized, with a recovery of 2 AK-47 Rifles from the hideout
In the same vain, on 22 November 2020, troops conducting farm patrol along Gidan Ruwa axis of Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State, where the troops encountered some group of bandits who started firing sporadically in an attempt to escape.
He said the resilient troops pursued them with courage, leading to the neutralization of one of the fleeing bandits and recovered one AK-47 Rifle loaded with 29 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition in the process.
Mr. Benard further said that in another operation conducted on 12 November 2020, troops deployed at Forward Operation Base Faskari arrested 2 suspected bandits’ collaborators named Lawal Madawaki and Hassan Ali at Gobirawa village in Faskari LGA of Katsina State.
And later on 13 November 2020, 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 all of whom were apprehended in connection with alleged involvement in banditry activities in the general area.
In another development he said, on 22 November 2020, troops raided an illegal mining site at Kadauri area in Maru LGA of Zamfara State and arrested 11 suspected illegal miners, while on 24 November 2020, 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.
He also disclosed that on 28 November 2020, troops while on routine border patrol intercepted and apprehended 4 suspected armed robbers dressed in military camouflage driving a Honda vehicle at Macrine village in Yelwa LGA of Kebbi State adding that all the arrested suspects have been handed over to appropriate authorities for prosecution.
