The Nigerian Army Troops of 8 Division operating in Zamfara and adjoining States have successfully neutralised many bandits’ leaders and camps in Jaya, Kadaya and Bayan Ruwa amongst several others in the North West
A statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima said the troops neutralized 48 bandits while the bandits’ leader in the area known as Jummo sustained a gunshot wound to his leg adding that 18 kidnapped victims were rescued from the bandits’ enclave and recovering eight AK-47 rifles and one G3 rifle, as well as one PKT and a Machine Gun from the Bandits.
“And in continuation of the second phase of Operation Tsare Mutane, troops sacked several other bandits’ camps around Gabiya, Bozaya and Mereri and the adjoining forests in Maru LGA of Zamfara State from 19 April to 3 May 2021. The areas which were heavily infested by bandits were successfully cleared by the highly spirited troops with key bandits’ leaders including Yellow Mai-Bille, Sani Meli, Dan-Katsina and Sama’ila Bakajin Bari neutralized in the process while the main leader known as Nasanda narrowly escaped with fatal injuries.
“Equally neutralized in the operation was one Isan Heshi who is a close ally of a notorious bandit called Nagala. Isan Heshi was the second in command to Heshi before he joined Nagala following Heshi’s death in an earlier operation.
“Items recovered in the second phase of Operation Tsare Mutane include 4,600 rounds of ammunition, two AK-103 rifles, eight AK-47 magazines, 1,628 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, fifty-four rounds of PKM as well as one motorcycle and five Techno mobile phones.”
The Division had earlier launched *Operation Tsare Mutane* following the directives of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru for the Division to stabilize the area in order to facilitate the return of socio-economic activities.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Division, Major General Usman Yusuf launched the first phase of Operation Tsare Mutane which lasted from 23 March to 2 April 2021 in MaradunLocal Government Area of Zamfara State,
The COAS congratulated the GOC and troops of 8 Division for the gains made so far and urged them to sustain their offensive operations until Zamfara and neighbouring States are stabilized.
He further assured the GOC of his continuous support in achieving the overall objective of keeping the North West and the entire country free of terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes.
PIAK
