Military investigating missing hundreds of millions Stolen Operations Fund; As troops of Ops Hadarin Daji rescue 50 kidnapped victims kill 78 bandits in the enclaves.

The Defence headquarters said on Tuesday that the diversion and disappearance of huge sums of Nigerian Army operational funds running into several hundreds of millions of naira operations fund by soldiers who were moving the cash from Sokoto to Jaji in Kaduna state is being investigated.

The Defence headquarters also said troops of ‘Operation Hadarin Daji’ have rescued over 50 kidnapped victims while 78 armed bandits were killed in several encounters with troops in their fortified enclaves and cache of arms and ammunition recovered.

Acting Director, Defence Information, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu made this known in a media briefing on Tuesday saying that ‘Operation Hadarin Daji’s troops are still fully mobilized and deployed despite the current peace efforts with the bandits, initiated by the Zamfara State government.

Col Nwachukwu said, “The event of suspected soldier’s disappearance with some amount of money is being investigated by appropriate authorities. The outcome will be made known to the public in due course. I will not like to pre-empt the investigation”

It would be recalled that 5 soldiers were declared wanted and an order for their arrest issued to military formations nationwide over the diversion and stealing of hundreds of millions of naira being moved from the 8th division to the Infantry Corps and Centre in Jaji last week.

The Acting DDI further said, “Operation Hadarin Daji which was recently reorganized and reinvigorated by the Defence headquarters with the acquisition and injection of new platforms and additional manpower to curtail armed banditry, kidnapping and sundry crimes.

“The reorganization is already yielding results as the joint troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have recorded several significant achievements in the theatre of operations.

“Since the commencement of the joint operations, troops of Operation Haran Daji have recorded several successes including a daring rescue operation in which troops neutralized 54 armed bandits in an encounter in fortified enclaves in Moriki, Madada and Dumburum forests in Zamfara state. Several assorted firearms were also recovered from the bandits.

“It will suffice to mention that in the last 2 months, the gallant troops have in a series of successful encounters, rescued over 50 kidnapped victims and neutralized 78 armed bandits from various fortified enclaves in Zamfara and contiguous states.

“The troops have also recovered a total of 39 firearms, which include 16 AK 47 rifles, I light machine gun, 14 Dane guns, 2 pump action rifles, 3 semi automatic rifles, 3 pistols and 2,437 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Additionally, over 25 armed bandits have been arrested and 14 Motorcycles recovered, used by them.

He said the bandits are undergoing preliminary investigation after which they will be handed over to appropriate prosecuting agencies.

“On the realization that bandits were generating financial resources through Cattle rustling to fund criminality, troops of Operation Sharan Daji also embarked on anti-cattle rustling operations, which led to the interception and stalling of cattle rustling activities.

“This culminated in the recovery of 2,278 cows, which have been returned to their respective owners”

“Presently, the troops are dominating flashpoints with aggressive land and aerial patrols, amongst others to deny the bandits freedom of action.

On Operation Thunder Strike, established by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin to tackle the menace of kidnappers, armed banditry, cattle rustlers and other criminal activities along major highways and adjourning villages around Kaduna-Abuja axis, he said, “These operations led to the successful interception and arrest of 12 suspected kidnappers while 6 bandits were neutralized.

“In a unique occurrence, troops while on aggressive patrol along Abuja-Kaduna highway discovered a group of bandits dressed in military camouflage who would have been ordinarily perceived by unsuspecting members of the public as military personnel on routine checks along the highway, mounted an illegal road block.

“The courageous troops moved tactically to the scene, engaged them in a firefight and neutralized the bandits.

“The troops have so far recovered a total of 38 firearms comprising 11 AK 47 rifles, 1 semi-automatic rifle, 1 revolver pistol, 23 Dane guns, 2 locally made pistols, 157 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 98 Cartridges, 2 AK 47 magazines, 5 mobile phones and 4 solar panels

“Other recoveries include 7 Motorcycles used by the bandits, and 695 cattle that were rustled. The cows have been returned to their owners”

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