Troops of Guards Brigade have arrested 64 youths in black attire armed with 9 locally made guns in Abuja, North Central, Nigeria.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami said this during the Bi-weekly briefing in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
He said the briefing covered the period from 22 September to 6 October 2022.
General Damadami said that the troops raided Karshi hill and surrounding villages in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory following intelligence on plans by hoodlums to disrupt the Independence Day Celebration.
In another development, 33 suspected illegal miners were arrested at an illegal mining site at Gwagwalada Area Council.
According to him, “all apprehended criminals were handed over to the Nigeria Police Federal Capital Command for further action.”
Also, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE conducted a raid operation at a suspected criminal hideout at Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
General Damadami said that “during the operation, troops came in contact with terrorists who engaged troops in a firefight but were subdued, the encounter led to the neutralization of 2 terrorists while other escaped with gunshot wounds”.
Similarly, on the same day, troops responded to a distress call about the activities of a bandit leader identified as full fire and his gang members at Zaki Ibiam and Zamkara in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
General Damadami noted that during the operation, troops arrested 2 suspected bandits and recovered 1 locally fabricated AK47 rifle, 1 dane gun and 2 mobile phones.
“Troops also arrested one suspected bandit in his hideout, while a motorcycle and 1 round of 7.62mm special was recovered from the suspect”, he stressed.
Equally, troops raided a suspected terrorist hideout in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State during the encounter troops neutralised 2 terrorists and recovered 1 AK47 rifle, 3 Dane guns, 1 motorcycle, 3 mobile phones while 4 terrorists were also arrested.
Also, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN on 23 September 2022 raided suspected drug dealers’ hideout at Mangu in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Director said that “the drug dealer was arrested with a large quantity of substance suspected to be cannabis”.
Also on 26 September troops arrested 4 suspected armed robbers at Shaka village in Bassa Local Government Area and recovered armoured cables suspected to have been stolen from government property in the general area.
Equally, on 28 September 2022, troops in conjunction with the operatives of NSCDC arrested a notorious kidnapper and armed robber known as Anas Ayaro, 22 years who has been on the wanted list of security agencies along Layi in Bauchi State.
According to him, the suspect is said to be the leader of a notorious gang involved in major kidnapping, cattle rustling and armed robbery incidents in Plateau and neighbouring states.
He said; “also between 25 September to 2 October 2022, troops arrested 9 suspected kidnappers, and rescued 8 civilians, while troops on 4 October 2022 responded to distress calls about the attack of gunmen at fefur community in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Consequently, troops trailed the assailants and neutralized 2 suspects and recovered 1 fabricated pistol with 10 rounds of 7.62mm special. All recovered items have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
General Damadami noted that “troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI in the North West of the Country have continued to sustained operational activities through the conduct of fighting and clearance patrols to clear terrorist enclaves.
Consequently, troops conducted operational activities at various locations within Zamfara, Sokotoand Kebbi States.”
He said that “during the operation, troops neutralized 5 terrorists, arrested 7 terrorists and rescued 8 civilians”.
“Troops also recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 5 motorcycles, 3 bicycles, 15 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5 AK47 magazines, 1 bandolier, 2 locally fabricated AK47 rifles, 2 locally fabricated guns, 3 torchlights, 1 car, 11 pump action cartridges and 52 rustled cattle among other items”, he added.
All recovered items and arrested suspected terrorists have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
Meanwhile, the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI conducted precision bombing on identified notorious terrorists leaders Gwaska Dankaramis camp at Mashekari area in Zurmi Local Government Area and Sani Dangote Camp in Farara village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He said that “following the airstrikes, a suspected terrorist’s leader identified as Dogo Rabe and 7 members of his gang were reportedly neutralised in the encounter while others fled in disarray”.
The Military High Command has commended the efforts of the troops in the various theatres of operation across the Country. It also appreciated the entire populace for the support given to the Armed Forces and other security agencies in the conduct of our operations.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
