Sharan Daji: One Officer, 2 Soldiers Killed as Troops of Nigerian Army & Airforce neutralize 55 Bandits, arrest 24 suspects; rescue 760 hostages in air and land offensives.

Troops of Operation Sharan Daji have killed 55 bandits and rescued 760 persons hostages kidnapped from villages in Zamfara state.

This was made known on Tuesday by Major Clement Abiade, Acting Force Information Officer, Major Clement Abiade in Gusau.

He said, the troops also recovered weapons, ammunition and rustled cows as they blocked all entry points to the bushes to deny the bandits free movement while building the confidence of the locals.

“A total of 24 suspected bandits informants, rustlers, kidnappers and logistics suppliers were arrested and handed over to the police for further investigation.

“The Air Component of the operation carried out several air strikes around Kagara, Gando, Fankama, Fete and Dumburum forests during which successes were recorded.

“Items recovered include four AK 47 rifles, one Rocket Propelled Gun Tube, 12 Dane guns, 27 AK 47 Magazines, 168 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, one Pump Action Gun, 47 Motorcycles, a Golf wagon car and 61 rustled cattle,” he said.

He added that, “The troops ‘sustained operation led to the return of over 1000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs from Maru to Bini village on February 17, 2019.

He said, “The Emir of Maru, Alhaji Abubakar Chika and the Chairman of Maru Local Government Area (LGA) Alhaji Salisu Dangulbi witnessed their departure at the LGA headquarters.

“Unfortunately, this feat was not achieved without supreme sacrifice being paid by one officer, two soldiers and a vigilante who paid the supreme prize during the encounter with bandits in Kagara forest.”

Abiade said the Force Commander, Maj.-Gen. Stevenson Olabanji has sympathized with the families of those who lost their lives or got wounded assuring that their pains would not be in vain.

Agency Report