Southern Kaduna Attacks: Soldiers of 1 Division recover large cache of arms; as troops neutralize buried IEDs at Banki-Pulka Axis

Military authorities in Abuja said on Sunday that the recently launched Operation Harbin Kunama II by the Nigerian Army in Southern part of Kaduna State which will cover some forests in Bauchi, Kano and Plateau States has started to yield result as a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered Saturday by 1 division soldiers.

 A statement by Brigadier General Sani Usman, Director, Army Public Relations explained that the discovery was made when troops embarked on cordon and search of Gwaska, Dangoma, Angwan Far and Bakin Kogi general area of Southern Kaduna State.

“During the operation, the troops recovered 73 Dane Guns, 4 Locally Made Rifles, 1 Locally Made Machine Gun and 1 locally Made Pistol.

 “Others include 260 Cartridges, 14 rounds of 7.62mm Ammunition, 63 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 1 Locally made Small Machine Gun Magazine, a pair of worn out military boot and some quantities of assorted Improvised Ammunition and Pyrotechnics hidden in dug out pits.

“While efforts are ongoing to track down the owners of the arms and ammunition, it is imperative to state the good people of the area have been very supportive and cooperate fully with the military which led to these unprecedented findings.

Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai on Saturday charged troops of Operation Lafiya Dole to remain discipline, dedicated and vigilant while discharging their military duties.

The COAS urged the soldiers to be patient, calm, continue with their good work and sustain the standard of discipline already set.

Speaking during an operational visit to troops of deployed at Pulka and Gwoza in Borno State to assess the ongoing Operation Deep Push, to clear the remnants of Boko Haram Terrorists around Sambisa forest, Buratai who was represented by the Chief of Administration (Army), Major General M Alkali commended the troops on the successes recorded in the ongoing campaign against insurgency in the North East.

 He tasked them to hasten up in the hunt for the leaders of Boko Haram while assuring them of Army Headquarters support on the fight against insurgency. 

 He assured that the dependents of fallen heroes will be promptly paid all entitlements due for the deceased to their next of kin.

“Nigerian Army appreciates your sacrifices to Nigeria nation.  History will not forget you for all you have done to protect the territorial integrity of our country.

 “We will continue to provide you with all you need to end this war so that displaced persons of this region can return to their respective communities.

 “As for our troops who paid the supreme price, we will continue to provide support to the families they left behind” he assured.

While conducting the operational visit, the Chief of Administration, Major General IM Alkali and the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu’s convoy encountered and cleared 4 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) buried by suspected elements of Boko Haram terrorists along their way from Bama to Gwoza at about 10.00am on Saturday.

Usman said, “The convoy encountered the 4 clustered IEDs buried at a crossing point along Banki Junction and Pulka road, about 6 kilometres to Firgi in Borno State.

“The team among other places visited 112 Task Force Battalion Pulka.”

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