Nigerian Ground Troops
in Sambisa Forest
Nigerian Ground Troops
in Sambisa Forest
Merciless Operation: Troops Eliminate 19 Unrepentant
Bandits, Recover 400 Cows
In continuation of the on-going intensive clearance operations
against armed bandits in Zamfara state, troops of Operation HADARIN
DAJI (OPHD) have continued to record tremendous successes against
the criminal elements/unrepentant bandits.
Recall that on 3rd of October 2019, troops deployed at SUNKE in
ANKA Local Government Area, troops came under unprovoked attack by
armed bandits despite the ongoing peace process in the State.
However, the gallant troops successfully repelled the attack,
neutralized 19 bandits in the process. Unfortunately, 4 soldiers
lost their lives during the encounter.
As a result of the encounter, troops further commenced
aggressive clearance operations nicknamed OP MUSHARE on the 6th of
October 2019, with a view to apprehending the recalcitrant bandits.
Consequently, between 6th and 7th of October 2019, within BAWA DAJI
general area, 3 heavily fortified camps at GUBARAWA, BAWA DAJI and
BAWA DAJI Forest were destroyed when the troops overpowered the
bandits, overrun the 3 camps and neutralized 39 bandits, (including
the notorious bandits’ leader known as “Emir”) and many bandits
were obviously wounded.
The following items were recovered from the bandits/camps:
a.3 x AK 47 rifles
b.421 x 7.62mm (special) ammunition
c.30 x PKT rifle rounds
d.10 x magazines
e.5 x Motorcycles
f.177 x Cows
g.7 x handsets
h.2 x handset batteries
i.Substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa
j. Charms
Four soldiers were wounded during the operation.
Similarly, in continuation with the offensive against the
bandits, clearance operations were also extended to the general
area of KURUWA, KAWARA, KALAHE and ZANGO villages in BAKURA Local
Government Area where troops encountered a large number of
marauders at their camp in ZANGO village on 8 October 2019. The
determined troops overwhelmed the armed bandits with a high volume
of fire, neutralized 19 of the criminals and recovered 1
motorcycle.
Additionally, troops also arrested a suspected bandit Abubakar
Umar along road LAMBA – DAMRI axis with the sum of 400,000 Naira
presumably for purchase of bandits logistics supplies. The suspect
will be handed over to the civil police for further
investigation/necessary action.
Additionally, on the 8th of October 2019, troops on fighting
patrol in BUKKUYUM general area, intercepted some logistics items
enroute to bandits’ camps. The items include:
a.13 x Jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)
b.8 x Litres of engine oil
c.4 x Motorcycle tyre tubes
Furthermore, on the 9th of October 2019, troops deployed in ANKA
general area, based on intelligence intercepted and arrested
suspected bandits’ logistics suppliers named LAWALI UMAR AND JAMILU
LIMAN around KUTURU village in ANKA Local Government Area of the
State purchasing some logistics items for onward movement to the
bandits’ camps. Consequently, the troops recovered the under listed
items:
a.4 x Jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)
b.1 x Carton of Malt
c.3 x Packets of soft drinks
d.1 x packet of Nutri milk
In a related development, based on intelligence indicating that
armed bandits were seen crossing with some rustled cows at DAKI
TAKWAS in ANKA Local Government Area, OPHD troops deployed in the
general area immediately ambushed the criminals along road
ANKA-DAKI TAKWAS. The criminals fled and abandoned the rustled cows
in the area. Troops pursued the fleeing criminals and successfully
neutralized 20 of them and recovered the following items:
a.2 x Motorcycles
b.6 x magazines
c.160 x rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition and many links
d.60 x rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
e.296 cows
Presently, troops have dominated the general area with
aggressive patrols, snap checkpoints and ambushes amongst other
line of operations to deny the criminals freedom of action.
This onslaught against armed banditry and all other criminal
activities will continue until banditry is effectively combated.
Troops will continue to remain highly committed and professional in
carrying out assigned tasks in line with the extant Rules of
Engagement and Code of Conduct.
Accordingly, the Force Commander OPHD and Acting General Officer
Commanding 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Aminu Bande
commended the troops for their commitment and reassured the good
people of Zamfara and other neighboring states of the determination
of the Army and other security agencies to secure lives and
properties. He further solicits for the support of the public to
continue to support the on-going campaign against armed banditry by
providing timely and credible information to OPHD troops and other
security agencies to ensure prompt and decive action.
The FC also used the opportunity to warn all recalcitrant
bandits and their cohorts to lay down their arms and embrace the
on-going peace process of the Zamfara State Government or face full
military action.
Ayobami Oni-Orisan
Captain
Acting Force Information Officer