The joint military operations in the North-west has recovered 27 AK47, four semi-automatic rifles, assorted ammunition among others in its drive to rid the North-west of banditry and kidnapping.
Acting Director Defence Public Relations, Col Onyeama Nwachukwu, stated this Tuesday in a press briefing at the Defence Headquarters to highlight the successes so far recorded in the ongoing joint operations code-named Operations Hadarin Daji, and Thunder Strike.
The operations were launched on May 10, 2019 in collaboration with the Nigerian Police, Department of State Service (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to tackle kidnapping along Abuja-Kaduna express way and banditry in the North-west, respectively.
“These operations were launched in responsive compliance with the strategic directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to effectively tackle the spate of security challenges confronting some states in the North western part of the country.
“The gallant troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have in series of successful encounters rescued over 50 kidnapped victims and neutralised about 78 armed bandits from various fortified enclaves in Zamfara and contiguous states.
“The troops have also recovered a total of 39 firearms which include 16 AK 47 rifles, 1 Light machine gun, 14 dane guns, 2 pump action rifles, 3 semi-automatic rifles, 3 pistols and 2,437 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
“Additionally, over 25 suspected armed bandits have been arrested and recovered 14 motor cycles used by them. The bandits are currently undergoing preliminary investigations, after which they will be handed over to appropriate prosecuting agencies.”
Speaking on Operation Thunder Strike along Abuja- Kaduna express way, he said troops through intelligence identified Jere, Katare, Rijana, Kurmi-karshi, Gidan-mamman Black-gold and Gidan-guza along Abuja-Kaduna roads as black spots and recorded some milestone as several suspected kidnappers and bandits have been arrested, with arms and ammunition recovered from the criminals in the last two months of operation.
He said: “The troops have so far recovered a total of 38 firearms comprising, 11 AK 47 rifles, 1 semi-automatic rifle, 1 revolver pistol, 23 dane guns, 2 locally made pistols, 157 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition, 8 cartridges, 2 AK 47 magazines, 5 mobile phones and 4 solar panels.
“Other recoveries made by the troops include 7 motorcycles used by bandits and 695 cattle. The cows have been returned to their respective owners,” he said.
