Troops neutralise 58 bandits, rescue 78

The Nigerian Army announced on Wednesday that no fewer than 58 bandits have been killed by troops in clearance operations within Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara axis, while 78 victims of kidnapping were rescued. It added that 18 camps of the bandits operating in different forests within the area were destroyed by troops of Operation Sharan Daji. Arms and ammunition were also recovered from them within the period of the operations. However, two soldiers and two members of vigilante group lost their lives during the encounter. A statement signed by the Acting Force Information Officer for Operation Sharan Daji, Major Clement Abiade, added that 8 soldiers and 6 vigilante members were wounded during the clearance operations. Major Abiade said: ” In line with the mandate of operation SHARAN DAJI, troops commenced clearance operations into bandits enclaves in Zamfara State and Katsina on 19 January 2019 and to last up till June 2019. The operation is being conducted simultaneously in collaboration with all security agencies and local vigilante to achieve synergy. The current offensive is designed to identify and destroy bandits’ camps/enclaves in the area of operation. “Already, the operation has recorded some successes. On 20 January 2019, troops came into contact with a large gang of bandits armed with sophisticated firearms and Rocket Propelled grenades at Dumburum and Gando forests leading to fierce gun battles which lasted several hours. The bandits were forced to abandon their camps due to superior firepower during these encounters. “The items recovered from the bandits include 5 Fabric National Rifles, 4 AK 47 Rifles, 10 locally made rifles, 1 locally fabricated pistol and 40 motorcycles. “The casualty figures on the bandits’ side were 58 bandits neutralized, while one was captured alive. Troops also destroyed 18 camps and rescued 75 kidnapped victims held in some of these camps. The freed captives who were mostly from local communities in Zamfara State were debriefed and reunited with their families. “Unfortunately, Operation SHARAN DAJI also suffered some casualties in these encounters. So far, two gallant soldiers and 2 members of the vigilante paid the supreme prize. A total of 8 soldiers and 6 vigilantes also sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries.