The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has announced that thirty-five bandits have been neutralised and suspects arrested by troops in Katsina and Zamfara States.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
“Following credible intelligence on movement of armed bandits with rustled animals at Bungudu LGA of Zamfara State, troops of Forward Operating Base Kekuwuje yesterday 17 January 2021, responded immediately and made contact with bandits.
“In the course of the encounter 30 armed bandits were neutralised while 24 cows and an unspecified number of sheep were recovered.
“Similarly, on the same day, troops deployed at Maradun received information of reprisal attack by armed bandits at Janbako village in Maradun LGA of Zamfara State.
The anti-banditry operation was conducted by troops of Forward Operating Base Kekuwuje sequel to credible intelligence on movement of armed bandits with rustled animals in the area.
The soldiers moved swiftly to the area on receiving information of retaliation attack by armed bandits in order to forestall the attack.
The gallant troops overwhelmed the bandits around Janbako village and killed 5 of them, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. The soldiers are currently on the trail of the fleeing bandits.
Also, two suspected bandit collaborators were arrested at Dungun Muazu village in Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State.
Earlier in the month, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji killed about 50 armed bandits in Kuriya village of Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara State following reliable intelligence.
Four soldiers sustained severe injuries during the encounter while over 334 livestock were recovered from the bandits around Dunya village of Danmusa LGA of Katsina State.
As part of its efforts to check banditry, the Nigerian Army on Thursday December 24 raided a criminal den in Zamfara and also recovered several ammunitions.
Major General Enenche reiterated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies will sustain the offensive against saboteurs and bandits until normalcy is restored in troubled zones.