By DAPO FALADE
Troops of the Operation Sahel Sanity are recording more successes in the battle against banditry in the North-West as they stepped up operation in the remote and hitherto inaccessible areas in the zone.
As stated in a press release by acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Benard Onyeuko, the army troops, aided by the dry season gradually setting in, inflicted devastating attacks on the bandits and marauding criminals in their own enclaves in the last one week.
As a result of the onslaughts, the combined troops of Operation Sahel Sanity, 17 Brigade and Sector 9 Operation of Hadarin Dani, did an aggressive clearance operation, from from 4-9 October, 2020 to identify bandits’ enclaves in some communities in Katsina State.
The operation, the release added, led to the killing of three bandits at Dankar, Kandawa, Yau yau, Hayin Yau yau, Bugaje, Zandam, Kwari Mai Zurfi, Yar Gamji, Bukuru and Jibiyawa in Batsari and Jibiya Local Government Areas, while many others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
“In the aftermath of the encounter, the gallant troops captured one AK 47 magazine loaded with 25 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and one dane gun belonging to the fleeing bandits while one bandit’s motorcycle and eight bandits hideouts were destroyed insitu so far while the operation is still on going,” release added.
Similarly, in a covert operation, based on credible intelligence, four suspected bandits were arrested at Kankara and Tudu village of Kankara Local Goverment Area, including a suspected bandit leader named Mujitafa Shehu.
In another development, on 5 October 2020, troops deployed at Forward Operation Base Bena in Wasagu-Danko Local Government Area of Kebbi State and troops of the 223 Battalion deployed at Wasagu and Unashi rescued two kidnapped victims in an operation to identified bandits hideout at Dan Umaru, Rancho and Dan Duniya villages.
“Many of the bandits managed to escape with various degrees of gunshot wounds. Rescued victims have since been reunited with their families amid jubilation by locals.
“Also, on the same day, following a tip-off, troops of Forward Operation Base Jengebe arrested a suspected drug peddler, one Mubarak Shehu at Jengebe Check Point in Wanki District of Gusau LGA.
‘Suspect was caught with 20 packets of Pentazocine injection concealed in his motorcyle while on transit to deliver item at Kungurmi village of Bungudu Local Goverent Area. Preliminary investigation revealed the drug baron is a member of the cartel that supplies hard drugs to bandits in the forest.
“Relatedly, on 6 October 2020, troops deployed at Yar Santa in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State rescued a female Kidnapped victim in Kankara. Rescued victim has been reunited with her family.
“Furthermore, troops raided and destroyed bandits’ camps during a clearance operation at Garin Inu, Shekewa Forest, Jajaye, Kerewa, Solar, Mallamawa and Gobirawa in Katsina State. Items recovered during the operation include two dane guns and assorted items.
“In another development, on 9 October 2020, troops deployed at Forward Operation Base Magami, while responding to a distress call, rescued 23 kidnapped victims from fleeing bandits who abandoned the captives as the unrelenting troops were closing in on their hideout along Zauni-Jengebe Road in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were kidnapped while on transit to Magami Market from Gusau in a passenger bus. All the rescued victims were reunited with their families while efforts are intensified to track the criminal gang members,” the release stated.
The military command commended the gallant troops of Operation Sahel Sanity for the remarkable successes achieved in the intensified operation and their commitment to duty.
It further urged them not to rest on their oars until banditry and other sundry crimes are totally eliminated in the North-West just as it assured the people of troops commitment to the safety of lives and property within the zone.
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