Banditry Offensive: Soldiers rescue 26 Kidnapped Traders, Other Victims, Kill Bandits

In continuation of military operations to rid armed bandits from the North West, troops of Operation Sahel Sanity have rescued 26 kidnapped victims including market men and women as well as other victims, killing several bandits in the process and destroying 8 bandits camps.

Several arms and ammunition were recovered, rustled cattle recovered while all the rescued victims were successfully reunited with their families.

Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko made the disclosure on Sunday.

He said, “As the dry season gradually sets in the North-West zone, troops of Operation Sahel Sanity have stepped up operation as they continue to push into the remote and hitherto inaccessible areas due to unfavourable terrain with devastating effect on the marauding criminals.

“Consequently, between 4-9 October 2020, combined troops of Operation Sahel Sanity elements of 17 Brigade and Sector 9 Operation Hadarin Daji conducted a combined aggressive clearance operation to identified bandit’s enclaves at Dankar, Kandawa, Yau yau, Hayin Yau yau, Bugaje, Zandam, Kwari Mai Zurfi, Yar Gamji, Bukuru and Jibiyawa in Batsari and Jibiya LGAs of Katsina State leading to the neutralization of 3 bandits, 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 8 bandits hideouts were destroyed so far while the operation is still ongoing.

“Similarly, in a covert operation based on credible intelligence, 4 suspected bandits were arrested at Kankara and Tudu village of Kankara LGA of Katsina state 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 LGA of Kebbi state, in conjunction with troops of 223 Battalion deployed at Wasagu and Unashi rescued 2 kidnapped victims during a clearance operation to identified bandits hideout at Dan Umaru, Rancho and Dan Duniya villages.