WorldStage Newsonline– Nigeria’s Military has confirmed that its robust clearance operations against armed bandits and other sundry criminals lead to the arrest of five armed bandits, a bandits informant; while several others were eliminated in the North West region of the country within three days.
Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, in a statement said this was in continuation of the robust clearance operations against armed bandits and other sundry criminals in the North West.
He said, the troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY, a subsidiary operation to Operation HADARIN DAJI continued to achieve success throughout the Theatre of operation.
According to him, “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.
“Similarly, 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.”
The Brigadier, however noted that troops of Defence Headquarters Special Operation Forces deployed at Batsari had a meeting engagement with some marauding armed bandits at Jigawar Mallamai in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State and in the aftermath of the encounter, four bandits were neutralized, one AK 47 rifle and 21 motorcycles were recovered while all recovered motorcycles were destroyed instantly.
Brigadier Onyeuko said, “In another development, on 15 July 2020 troops conducted clearance operation on suspected bandits hideouts at Garin Maza, Tamuske, and Garin Bagwari villages in Sabon Birni LGA of Sokoto State. Troops made contact with the bandits and in the ensuing encounter, 3 bandits were neutralized and 6 motorcycles were recovered while the hideouts were destroyed.
” 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 added that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai had commended the troops for their gallantry, successes and their resilience.
He urged them not to rest on their oars. He further assured the people of the North-West zone of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the safety of lives and properties within the zone.
