Troops Neutralise Five Bandits’ Leaders in Zamfara
Simultaneously, the Nigerian Army announced that troops of One Brigade, Gusau, Zamfara State neutralised five bandits’ leaders in the state.
The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations,1 Brigade, Gusau, Capt. Suleiman Omale named the killed bandits as Auta Jijji, Dankali, Sagidi, Kachallah Rijaji, and Kachallah Suza.
Weapons were recovered from them, he said.
He said: “The troops under the command of Brig-Gen. Timothy Opurum, has recorded a major operational success in its ongoing fight against terrorism and banditry in Talata Mafara and Kaura Namoda local government areas of Zamfara.
“In the early hours of Thursday, May 1, the troops of Combat Team 6 (CT 6) on a fighting patrol encountered a large number of armed terrorists who had infiltrated Mai Kwanugga village in Talata Mafara LGA.
“The terrorists have been attacking locals and setting houses ablaze before the arrival of troops.
“Upon contact, the troops decisively engaged the criminals in a fierce gun duel, successfully neutralizing several terrorists, including five notorious bandits’ leaders.
“Reinforcements from 1 Brigade Quick Response Force (QRF) and 1 Brigade Special Forces (1 BSF) pursued the fleeing terrorists, resulting in the recovery of a cache of weapons,” he said.
The recovered weapons include four AK-47 rifles, one PKT Machine Gun, two RPG tubes,6 RPG bombs,28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and 43 rounds of PKT ammunition.
He said during post-operation exploitation on May 2, locals handed over additional arms and confirmed further details about the neutralized terrorist leaders.
“Unfortunately, two civilians were caught in crossfire by stray bullets.
“The situation is being closely monitored, and efforts to clear the area of residual threats continue,” he explained.
The statement further said that on May 1, troops of Combat Team 2 (CT 2), in coordination with other security agencies, effectively responded to a protest by residents of Dayau village in Kaura Namoda LGA.
“The villagers, expressing frustration over recent bandit attacks, had blocked a major supply route by burning tires and obstructing traffic.
“The security team conducted a non-violent crowd dispersal operation, restored calm, and reopened the road.
“Normalcy has since returned to the area, and routine activities have resumed,” he added.
Brig. Gen. Timothy Opurum commended the gallantry and professionalism of the troops and reassured citizens of the Brigade’s unalloyed commitment to restoring peace and security across the state.
Last month alone, gunmen repeatedly attacked several communities in Benue and Plateau states, killing over 100 people and displacing thousands of others.
Some of the communities attacked in Plateau were Zikke and Kimakpa villages in Bassa district, and Otobi in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue.
