Troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY have killed several bandits and arrested 30 bandits, collaborators and suppliers in several operations conducted across Katsina and Zamfara states.
The troops also rescued a young girl at a forest in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara state, during an operation.
Brig. Gen. Benard Onyeuko, Acting Director, Defence Media Operations disclosed this while presenting, in a statement, an update of troops’ activities last week against armed bandits and other criminal elements in North West Nigeria.
Giving the details Onyeuko said that on September 18, 2020, the troops arrested two suspected bandits, Umaru Lawali and Ahmed Bello, and three collaborators Abdullahi Lawal, Bala Saidu, and Yunusa Muhammad during different operations at Dangulbi, Sabon Layi, Dandume and Gidan Yawa, all in Zamfara state. He said Abdullahi Lawal and Bala Saidu were arrested for their involvement in selling of rustled cattle for bandits, while Yunusa Muhammad was arrested for arranging the kidnap of victims and collection of ransom on behalf of bandits
Onyeuko added that on September 19, 2020, the troops arrested suspected seven bandits, Abdullahi Musa at Giginyu village and six other at Dan Aji forest of Katsina state. He said they also arrested suspected bandits logistic suppliers, Amadu Saleh and Shaibu Ibrahim at Madachi and Maigora villages of Katsina state.
According to him, on the same day the troops killed one bandits after they responded to a distress call about bandits invasion on Dayau village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
He said: “Same day, troops deployed at Yar Tsamiya Jino while on patrol rescued a young female kidnap victim named Jamila Sani around the fringes of Yar Tsamiya Jino forest. Preliminary investigation revealed that she was kidnapped alongside others at Makasu village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State on 7 September 2020. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims.”
“Also on the same day, Onyeuko said troops deployed at Dandume thwarted attack by suspected armed bandits at Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina state.
“The superior firepower of troops forced the suspects to withdraw in disarray with several of the bandits sustaining gunshot wounds as traces of blood were seen on their escape route during exploitation,” he said.
“On 20 September 2020, troops arrested two suspected bandits namely Dayyabu Abubakar and Yahaya Murtala along Machika-Mararaba road. Equally, on 22 September 2020, following a tip off, troops in Faskari Katsina State arrested two suspected bandits namely Haruna Hassan and Kabiru Abdullahi at Yankara Market and Angwan Boka. On same day, troops of Sector 3 arrested one Mallam Gambo, a wanted bandits’ logistics supplier at Dansadau in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.”
“On 23 September 2020, troops on clearance patrol destroyed several bandits’ camps and recovered two Dane guns, one locally made sword and 3 Axes. Relatedly, troops acting on intelligence raided some suspected bandits’ camps at Gadawa general area. The bandits fled the area before the troops arrive.
“Also, troops deployed at Daudawa arrested a suspected bandits collaborator named Abubakar Isah at Daudawa village in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina state.
“On 24 September 2020, troops deployed at Dan Ali village based on credible intelligence arrested nine suspected bandits’ collaborators at Sabon Garin Dan Ali general area in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
“Also, troops deployed at Daudawa, acting on a tip off by locals arrested one Surajo Bala, a suspected bandits’ informant. Suspect confessed to be involved in arranging kidnap of victims for bandits. Relatedly, troops deployed at Safana, responding to a distress call foiled an armed bandits attack and recovered several rustled cattle at Danyegeya village in Safana Local Government Area. The troops swiftly storm the village and pursued the bandits forcing them to abandon their loots as they escaped under the cover of darkness with possible gunshot wounds.”
Onyeuko said the recovered cattle were handed over to the rightful owners, while troops continue to dominate the area with fighting patrols.
