Armed bandits on Thursday ambushed troops who were on routine patrol along Batsari-Jibia road, Katsina State.
The bandits operating from a high ground were, however, cleared due to troops’ superior firepower, leaving one of them dead while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
This was contained in a statement made available to PlatinumPost on Friday and signed by John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Abuja.
Enenche, a Major General, said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, also recorded several successes in other operations in neighbouring Zamfara State.
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The statement read: “In continuation of aggressive clearance operation to stamp out banditry and other sundry crimes in the North West zone of the country, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI yesterday, 31 December 2020 while on routine patrol around Gidan Dan Nunu and Dutsi villages of Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State made contact with bandits.
“In the course of the encounter, the gallant troops successfully rescued seven kidnapped victims.
“In the same vein, troops of Forward Operating Base Dangulbi while on stop and search patrol on 31 December 2020, arrested one Zayanu Abdullahi from Shinkafi district with huge amount of money. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was involved in buying of stolen cows from bandits. Further investigation revealed that the suspect has been a collaborator with bandits. The suspect is in custody for further action.
“Relatedly, the gallant troops acting on credible intelligence that bandits were operating in Kimbisawa village of Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State. Troops swiftly mobilized to the village and rescued two women and a child kidnapped by the bandits. Rescued victims were immediately reunited with their families.
“Furthermore, still on 31 December 2020, troops while on routine patrol along Batsari-Jibia road were ambushed by armed bandits. Bandits engaged troops from a high ground. Contact was successfully cleared due to troops’ superior firepower. One bandit was neutralised while others escaped with gunshot wounds.”
