…recover firearms, motorcycle received as bounty by kidnapped victim
By Victor Akaa, Abuja.
The Defence Media Operations has confirmed the elimination of over 10 bandits as well as arrest of some bandits’ collaborators and notorious kidnappers in some parts of Katsina state into the North West zone of the country.
Both the killings,recovery firearms and arrest of the criminals were executed in different operations conducted on the 2th,3rd,4th,8th and 10th of January, 2021 by the troops of Operation Sahel Sanity in furtherance of their operational activities in the zone as directed by the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Tukur Buratai while extending the lifespan of the operations to March, 2021.
Those suspected bandits’ collaborators apprehended include ;Yahaya Aliyu who was arrested in the course of facilitating the ransom from a kidnapped victim. One Ya’u Tukur who is a nefarious kidnapper as well as Alhaji Adamu Mamman, according to Brig. Gen. Bernard Onyeuko.
Gen. Onyeuko, who is the Acting Director, Defence Media Operations while disclosing this in a statement issued to Enugu Reporters on Tuesday says, troops with a new momentum with a view to completely wiping out the criminals in the zone have dominated the Northwest theatre with confidence building patrols, robust and aggressive ambushes coupled with clearance operations.
“On 2 January 2021, based on credible human intelligence about movement of armed bandits sighted crossing Garin Inu in Batsari LGA heading towards Bugaje in Jibiya LGA both in Katsina State, troops deployed at Batsari swiftly mobilized and laid ambush along the bandit’s route at Garin Garus.
“While at the ambush position, the gallant troops made contact with the marauding armed bandits and engaged them with overwhelming fire power thereby neutralizing 5 bandits while others escaped with varying degrees of injuries as indicated by traces of blood along their escape routes.
“Further exploitation of the area by the gallant troops led to the capture of 3 AK-47 rifles and 2 AK 47 Rifle magazines loaded with 18 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition.”
“On 3 January 2021, troops deployed at Dan Ali village acting on reliable information from reliable sources arrested a suspected bandits’ collaborator named Ya’u Tukur at Sabon Gida village in Kankara LGA of Katsina State.
“During preliminary investigations, suspect confessed to be working for a notorious bandit gang which has been masterminding nefarious crimes including kidnapping for ransom in various places.
“Troops are on the trail of other members of the notorious gang.”
“On 4 January 2021, troops deployed at Maraban Maigora acting on credible information arrested one Yahaya Aliyu while riding on a new motorcycle.
“The arrest was executed following reports from reliable sources on the suspect’s alleged involvement in kidnapping and facilitating payment of ransom for kidnap victims in the area.
“During preliminary investigations, suspect admitted his involvement in the alleged crimes, adding that the motorcycle he was riding was part of a bounty as ransom from a kidnapped victim.
“On 8 January 2020, troops deployed at Yankara while acting on a tip off arrested a suspected bandit’s collaborator named Alhaji Adamu Mamman around Yankara general area in Faskari LGA of Katsina State.
“Suspect has been at large following his involvement of harbouring bandits in his house.”
According to the statement, troops on 10 January 2021, while at Sabon Layi on clearance operations at bandits enclaves around Maigora general area in Faskari LGA of Katsina State, came in contact with armed bandits at Unguwar Rimi leading to a fierce gun battle.
“The troops were swiftly reinforced by another team from Faskari and supported by Helicopter Gunship delivering a lethal blow to the criminals thereby forcing the bandits to withdraw in disarray into the forest due to troop’s superior fire power.
“During the exploitation phase of the operation, 5 bodies of neutralized bandits were found while several others were suspected to escape with gunshot wounds as indicated by blood stains on their escape route.”
The DMO Acting Director has however regretted the killed in action of one brave soldier ,while 2 others sustained minor injuries during the encounter.
The wounded soldiers according to him were in stable condition and currently responding to treatment in a military medical facility.
