The Troops of the Joint Task Force Northwest Operation HADARIN DAJI covering Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara states have neutralized armed bandits, rescued kidnapped victims, recovered items and destroyed bandits’ hideouts in the Northwest.
The vigilant Troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Isa responded swiftly when Armed bandits attempted to infiltrate and attack Isa LGA of Sokoto state on 3rd August 2023.
The troops repelled the attack with superior firepower which forced the Bandits to flee with gunshot wounds as traces of blood stains were seen in their routes during the pursuit.
Similarly, troops of Team 8 of Sector 3 Operation Hadarin Daji deployed at Sabon Birni in Sokoto state conducted clearance operations, discovered and destroyed bandits’ hideouts at Kusabunni Forest, Tafkin gawo, Alumdawa, Ungwar Mailele and Malamawa villages in Sokoto state. However, Bandits fled and abandoned their hideouts before the arrival of the troops.
Items recovered from the Bandit’s hideouts were 3 Motorcycles, 3 AK-47 Magazines and Ammunition. Others include varieties of pairs of both Military and foreign Camouflage uniforms including a Police uniform and a Radio.
Equally, the Troops of Sector 2 in Katsina state, while responding to a distress call on bandits kidnapped activities and rustling of a large number of animals swiftly mobilized an offensive operation along the withdrawal routes of the abductors at Kore town in Batagarawa LGA of Katsina state. On sighting troops, the bandits fled and abandoned the kidnapped victims and the rustled animals.
Also, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in Katsina state successfully rescued 4 persons who were captured from their farmlands by armed bandits along Ungwan Madugu of Dandume LGA of Katsina state.
The victims were abandoned by their captors and fled when the troops in conjunction with vigilantes mobilized to the scene and successfully rescued the victims. The victims have been handed over to their families while the recovered cattle were handed over to the rightful owners.
Similarly, troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army and Operation Whirl Punch have carried out a series of operations against all criminal elements in the Division’s Area of Responsibility.
A statement by Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 1 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, said during these operations, troops neutralized several bandits, rescued many captives and cleared/destroyed countless bandits’ hideouts and motorcycles.
On 11 July 2023, troops successfully cleared bandits’ location at Sabon Birni, Maidaro, Dogon Dawa, Damari and Saulawa villages all in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Similarly, troops of the Division in Kano State raided bandits’ hideouts in Dogon Ruwa and Mayan Ruwa in Falgore forest on 12 July 2022 and arrested 4 bandits. On the same day at Fatika in Kaduna State, troops had an intense firefight with the bandits/cattle rustlers and recovered 72 Cows, 29 Sheep and a motorcycle.
In this vein, on 15 July 2023, during a clearance operation at Kuriga and Manini villages in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, troops came in contact with bandits who had earlier abducted commuters and were taking them to the bushes to negotiate a ransom.
Troops engaged the criminal element and overpowered them thereby forcing the bandits to abandon their captives and absconded into the tick forest in disarray with gunshot wounds. As a result, troops successfully rescued 19 abductees and escorted them to their destination at Udawa where they were reunited with their family members.
Determined to make life unbearable for the criminal elements, on 27 July 2023, the gallant troops proceed to clear Kajuru- Gyengere-Tantatu and Kujeni in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. During the clearance operation, troops neutralized 2 bandits, rescued 2 kidnapped victims, and captured one motorcycle and 2 phones.
Lastly, on 1 August 2023 at Sabon Gida and Sarkin Pawa general area of Niger State, during a clearance operation, troops had contact and a fierce exchange of fire with bandits forcing the criminals to run in disarray. During the encounter, one bandit was neutralized while others escaped with gunshot wounds as evidenced in the blood stain on the grasses and all footpaths in the bushes.
The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander Operation Whirl Punch Major General BA Alabi has expressed satisfaction with the conduct and professional disposition of the troops throughout the clearance operation and as well commended their committed efforts which resulted in the latest success.
He charged the troops not to relent until all criminal enclaves in the Division’s Area of Responsibility are cleared.
He also appealed to all law-abiding citizens to go about their legitimate businesses and avail the Nigerian Army and other security agencies with timely and credible intelligence.
Additionally, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army is appealing to all paramedics to be on the lookout for persons with gunshot wounds and report to the Nigerian Army or other security agencies.
