Troops neutralize bandits, rescue captives in north-west Nigeria

The Nigerian troops have neutralized bandits, rescued captives, captured arms, and cleared bandit hideouts in Kaduna, Niger, and Kano states.

Musa Yahaya, Lieutenant Colonel, PRO, 1 Division Nigerian Army, said this on Friday in a statement.

Chronicle NG reports, In continuation of the ongoing clearance operation to rid the northwestern part of the country of terrorism and banditry activities, military men of the 1 Division Nigerian Army and Operation Whirl Punch have carried out a series of operations against all criminal elements in the Division’s Area of Responsibility. During these operations, troops have neutralized several bandits, rescued many captives, and cleared or destroyed countless bandit hideouts and motorcycles.

On July 11, 2023, military men successfully cleared bandit locations at Sabon Birni, Maidaro, Dogon Dawa, Damari, and Saulawa villages, all in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. During the operation, troops neutralized two bandits and destroyed two motorcycles.

Similarly, troops of the Division in Kano State Similarly, military men of the Division in Kano State raided bandits’ hideouts in Dogon Ruwa and Mayan Ruwa in Falgore Forest on July 12, 2022, and arrested four bandits. On the same day, at Fatika in Kaduna State, troops had an intense firefight with the bandits and cattle rustlers and recovered 72 Cows, 29 sheep, and a motorcycle.

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In this vein, on July 15, 2023, during a clearance operation at Kuriga and Manini villages in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, troops came into contact with bandits who had earlier abducted commuters and were taking them to the bushes so as to negotiate ransom. Troops engaged the criminal element and overpowered them, thereby forcing the bandits to abandon their captives and abscond into the tick forest in disarray with gunshot wounds. As a result, military men successfully rescued 19 abductees and escorted them to their destination at Udawa, where they were reunited with their family members.

Again, on July 17, 2023, acting on credible intelligence, military men embarked on a fighting patrol to a bandit hideout in Doka, Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State. During the operation, troops recovered seven Dane guns, four cutlasses, and four leg chains. Troops destroyed the camp and proceeded to clear Maguzawa, Parker, and Akote villages, all in Chikun and Igabi Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

Also, on July 22 and 23, 2023, troops cleared bandit hideouts in Kwanan Mutua in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State and rescued three kidnapped victims. At Tasha Itche in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, troops cleared bandit hideouts, neutralised one bandit, and rescued six kidnapped victims. All the rescued victims were reunited with their families.

Determined to make life unbearable for the criminal elements, on July 27, 2023, the gallant troops proceeded to clear Kajuru, Gyengere, Tantatu, and Kujeni in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. During the clearance operation, troops neutralized two bandits, rescued two kidnapped victims, and captured one motorcycle and two phones.

Lastly, on August 1, 2023, at Sabon Gida and Sarkin Pawa general areas of Niger State, during a clearance operation, troops had contact and a fierce exchange of fire with bandits, forcing the criminals to run in disarray. During the encounter, one bandit was neutralized while others escaped with gunshot wounds, as evidenced by the blood stain on the grass and all the footpaths in the bushes.

The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander Operation Whirl Punch, Major General BA Alabi, has expressed satisfaction with the conduct and professional disposition of the troops throughout the clearance operation and has also commended their committed efforts, which resulted in the latest success. He charged the military men not to relent until all criminal enclaves in the Division Area of Responsibility were cleared. He also appealed to all law-abiding citizens to go about their legitimate businesses and avail the Nigerian Army and other security agencies with timely and credible intelligence.

Additionally, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army is appealing to all paramedics to be on the lookout for persons with gunshot wounds and report them to the Nigerian Army or other security agencies.