Soldiers kill 9 bandits, rescue 18 hostages in Zamfara

Molly Kilete, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said that soldiers on anti-banditry operations in Zamfara State have killed nine terrorists and rescued 18 persons comprising ten men, 4, women and minors kidnapped by the bandits in Zamfara State.

The troops from Operation HADARIN DAJI, while on a clearance operation code-named Operation CHINGABA along Maru-Dansadau axis of the state were said to have recovered one GPMG PKT, 140, rounds of 12.7mm, 53 blank ammunition, 2 motorcycles, an AK 47 rifle, three 7.62mm special ammunition, water jet explosives and 2 inches of Det 33 cables among other items from the bandits.

Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

The statement reads: “Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI in Zamfara State in a ground and air operation closed up on bandits in a subsidiary operation called Operation CHINGABA along Maru-Dansadau axis. During the operation, 9 bandits were neutralized, while 10 men, four women and four minors who were kidnapped by the bandits were rescued.

“In a similar development, following credible information, troops on 11 Apr 2020 in a sting operation on Isah Road close to Sarwa village in Isah LGA Sokoto State, arrested a gun runner known as Alhaji. At the point of collection, his men in ambush opened fire on troops. He was neutralized and his men fled with various degrees of gunshot wounds. Troops recovered one GPMG PKT, 140 rounds of 12.7mm, 53 blank ammunition and one motorcycle. In the same vein on 11 April 2020, troops of FOB Dangulbi and Dansadau at a blocking force at Gobirawa made contact with bandits forcing them to withdraw in disarray. The troops pursued and neutralized one bandit, recovered one AK 47 rifle, three 7.62mm special ammunition, water jet explosives, 2 inches Det 33 cable for IED and one motorcycle.

“Furthermore, following sustained action on the bandits in Mutunj and Dansadau in Maru LGA on 10 April 2020, the village head of Mutumji handed over one AK 47 rifle captured from bandits to troops at FOB Dansadau.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria hereby solicits for continuous provision of information for the enhancement of our operations. This is highly desirable in tackling our security challenges.”