armed bandits
Troops
armed bandits
Troops Eliminate 21 Armed Bandits, Rescue 89 Kidnapped
Victims
In line with the mandate of Operation SHARAN DAJI (OPSD), troops
are conducting operations into bandits’ enclaves in Zamfara and
Katsina State.
The operation is being conducted simultaneously in collaboration
with all security agencies and local vigilantes’ to achieve
synergy. The current offensive is designed to identify and destroy
bandits’ camps/enclaves in the area of operation. This press brief
covers the period from 22 – 29 January 2019.
The operation has recorded some successes. On 22 January 2019,
troops on clearance operation in Gando Forest came into contact
with a large gang of bandits armed with sophisticated firearms and
Rocket Propelled Grenades leading to fierce gun battles which
lasted several hours. The bandits were forced to abandon their
camps due to superior firepower during these encounters.
Troops also made contact with bandits operating in Shinkafi,
Birnin Magaji and some isolated villages in Maru LGA of Zamfara
State.
Furthermore, troops of OPSD operating in Katsina State made
contact with bandits at different locations around Safana, Runka,
Kukan Sama between 25 – 28 January 2019.
The following items were recovered from the bandits over the
period stated above:
a. 1 Single Barrel gun.
b. 2 locally made pistols.
c. 20 Cartridges of Double barrel bullets.
d. 60 Rounds of 7.62mm special.
e. 1 AK 47 Magazine containing18 Rounds of 7.62mm special.
f. 2 Dane Guns.
g. 4 Motorcycles.
h. Large quantity of Indian hemp and illicit Drugs.
The casualty figures on the bandits’ side during this encounters
is 21 bandits neutralized, while 17 were captured alive.
Troops also destroyed some of their camps and rescued 89
kidnapped victims held in some of these camps. It is worthy to note
that out of 89 freed kidnapped victims, 55 of them were held
captives in Bukkuyum LGA in Zamfara State.
The freed captives who were mostly from local communities in
Zamfara State they were debriefed and reunited with their families.
Similarly, 2 bandits’ informants Musa Amadu and Auwalu Mutairu were
arrested at Danfumi village in Birnin Magaji and are currently
assisting troops with intelligence. It is significant to inform the
general public that 11 civilians and 1 vigilante were killed by
bandits during the period in focus. It is also important to state
that 6 persons were kidnapped at Asoula village in Tsafe LGA and
not in Birnin Magaji as reported by some media houses.
The Force Commander, Operation SHARAN DAJI, commiserates with
families of the vigilante that lost his life and assures that his
sacrifice will not be in vain.
He reaffirms the commitment of OPSD to rid Zamfara State of all
forms of banditry and criminality in line with its mandate.
Therefore, the general public is enjoined to cooperate with troops
and furnish security agencies with useful and timely information
about bandit’s activities within their domain.
CLEMENT ABIADE
Major
Acting Force Information Officer
Operation SHARAN DAJI