The high command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), on Thursday, said that it was intensifying operations to track down and arrest all those collaborating with armed bandits, in its bid to stamp out banditry in the country.
Major General John Enenche, Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, (CDMO), while briefing Defence Correspondents on the successes of military operations nationwide between November 12 and 18, said that no fewer than three of the armed bandits collaborators were arrested in the North West part of the country, within the stated period.
He disclosed that the bandits also suffered heavy casualties, as several of them were killed, with others escaping with diverse degrees of gunshot wounds.
The CDMO further said that large caches of arms and ammunition and other items were captured by troops during operations in the North West zone, while identified bandits camps were also destroyed.
The Defence operations spokesman said, “based on credible information that a suspected bandit was sighted at Kukar Samu village in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, troops mobilised to the scene and arrested two suspected bandits’ collaborators named Nura Ibrahim and Abdullahi Yusuf while trying to escape with motorcycle belonging to bandits who fled on sighting troops.
“One Sabe Iliya from Muniya village in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State was also apprehended while pretending to be a farmer but was identified by locals as bandit’s informant.”
General Enenche said that the military was working assiduously on daily basis with new strategies, believing that once it was able to crack down on the bandit’s collaborators, banditry would become history in the country.
Speaking on the activities of the troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI and other subsidiary operations in the area, General Enenche said that they have sustained their operations aggressively with noticeable successes.
He disclosed that the gallant troops within the period carried out series of clearance operations, ambushes and aerial patrols, adding that on 15 November 2020, troops of Operation ACCORD while on night patrol at Yar Tasha village made contact with armed bandits and engaged them in firefight.
“During the encounter, 3 armed bandits were neutralized while others escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds. Three AK 47 rifles were recovered during the operation.
“Same day, troops deployed at Ungwan Doka, rescued one kidnapped victim named Adamu Yahaya. Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was kidnapped at Unguwar Sa’ida village in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State. The victim has been reunited with his family.
“In a related development, within the period in focus, following credible intelligence on the presence of kidnappers in Garin Arawa of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State,’ troops immediately mobilized to the village and made contact with kidnappers.
“In the course of the encounter, one kidnapper was killed in contact while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Items recovered include; one AK47 rifle, one magazine and one motorcycle.
“Equally, troops deployed at Jibia arrested 2 suspected kidnappers named Malam Ismail Isah and Malam Sale Samaila at Tsembe Kolumbo village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Suspects are currently in custody for further investigation.
“Similarly, one suspected bandit named Bello Ardo from Yargoje town in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State was arrested on 16 November 2020. He is currently in custody undergoing investigation.
“Earlier, on 14 November 2020, based on actionable intelligence that suspected bandits invaded Kura village in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, troops of Forward Operating Base Kwatarkwashi swiftly mobilized to the area and made contact with them.
“After exchange of fire, the bandits escaped into the bush in disarray and abandoned 2 kidnapped victims named Hajiya Sakina and Zahru who were rescued by troops.
“Relatedly, 3 suspected bandits named Abdulmumini Maidoka, Lawal Abdullahi and Sanusi Abdullahi Ja’e were arrested by troops at Majafa village”, General Enenche stated.
General Enenche pleaded for continuous cooperation and support to the military by the public, asking that they freely make available to troops information on those suspected to be collaborating with armed bandits in order to bring them to justice and fast track the conquest of banditry in the country.