Amid fears, military pledges end to terrorism, banditry

Defence Headquarters, Thursday, said the menace of banditry and insurgency will soon come to an end, following the stepping up of both kinetic and non-kinetic operations.

It said with the ongoing operations, the days of the bandits and terrorists are numbered, adding that the various operations against the criminals have continued to “progress satisfactorily”.

Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Major-General John Enenche, stated this during the weekly briefing on military operations. Although there was no timeline for the defeat of the insurgents, Enenche, assured that “it is no longer a hopeless situation”.

Meanwhile, on the ongoing military operations, the Defence Media Coordinator disclosed that troops have sustained the onslaught against criminal elements in their various areas of operation.

According to him, in Katsina State, the epicenter of the banditry, operatives of Department of State Service, Katsina State Command arrested a couple Usman Shehu and his wife Aisha Abubakar of Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The suspects, he said were intercepted at Abukur village conveying large cache of ammunitions to Katsina Metropolis including 14 magazines, 61 rounds of 9.6mm caliber ammunition and 399 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.

He informed that in the North West zone, “Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI and other subsidiary operations have sustained various aggressive operations in the North-West zone of the country with tremendous successes.

The gallant troops within the period carried out series of raids, aerial, ambushes, clearance operations and confidence building patrols.

“Notably, on 21 November 2020, troops of Operation ACCORD while on covert operation at Galadi village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State neutralized 2 bandits and recovered 2 AK 47 rifles.

“In another development, still on same 21 November 2020, troops while on routine patrol at Gobirawa village made contact with armed bandits.

During the encounter, 6 bandits were neutralized while 4 AK 47 rifles, three Dane guns and two motorcycles were recovered.

“In the same vein, following credible intelligence on activities of illegal miners at Kadauri general area in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, troops swiftly mobilized to the scene and apprehended 11 suspected illegal miners.

The suspects have been handed over to the appropriate prosecuting authority for further action.

“Additionally, troops of Forward Operating Base Kwatarkwashi arrested one Shafiu Suleman, a wanted bandit’s informant at Kwatarkwashi Market.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was the mastermind of recent kidnapping of some Locals within Kwatarkwashi district of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

“Furthermore, following distress call on presence of suspected bandits at Gidan Ruwa along Rukudawa axis of Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State on 22 November 2020, troops swiftly responded and pursued the bandits as they fled on sighting the approaching troops.

However, one bandit was neutralized, while one AK 47 rifle and one magazine loaded with 29 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition were recovered. Equally, 2 bandits were arrested in the process.

“In another feat recorded on 22 November 2020, operatives of Department of State Service, Katsina State Command arrested a couple Usman Shehu and his wife Aisha Abubakar of Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The suspects were intercepted at Abukur village conveying large cache of ammunitions to Katsina Metropolis including 14 magazines, 61 rounds of 9.6mm caliber ammunition and 399 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.

“Similarly, between 23 and 25 November 2020, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI arrested several bandits’ collaborators in Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States. Notably, on 23 November 2020, following credible Human intelligence, troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Dankurmi District of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State arrested one Tasiu Shehu.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect has been supplying bandits with logistics. “Relatedly, on 24 November 2020, following credible intelligence on movement of cattle rustlers, troops swiftly moblised to the area and successfully arrested 3 suspects and 300 cattle.

The suspects are currently in custody for necessary action. Equally, still on same 24 November 2020, following credible information, 2 suspected bandits’ collaborators were apprehended at Tsayau village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State by the gallant troops of Forward Operating Base Gurbin Baure.

The suspects are currently in custody for further action.” Meanwhile, the combined troops of the Nigerian Army and Air Force have been reported to have taken fight to armed bandits terrorising Kaduna State on the border of Kaduna and Niger State.

The development came after the bandits attacked Kugosi and Kajari villages in Chikun local government area of Kaduna Central Senatorial District on Wednesday.

Kaduna State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday said, “Military authorities have notified the Kaduna State Government that troops have attacked another group of bandits in Chikun LGA, close to the boundaries with Niger State.

“Some bandits had on Wednesday morning attacked Kugosi and Kajari general areas in Chikun local government area of Kaduna Central Senatorial District.

“This forced locals to flee the villages to some other communities in the local government. On receipt of the information, the Kaduna State Government contacted the military who confirmed that troops had already been deployed to track the armed bandits.

“According to the operational feedback, ground and air components of the military subsequently engaged the bandits.

“The air component of the military, after a fighting patrol to Kajari and Kugosi areas, sighted bandits around Kawuri-a location at Kaduna-Niger interstate boundary area – and subsequently attacked them.

“The Kaduna State Government is grateful to the military for the successful outing and breakthrough. “Ground troops are still in the location, where a place of worship and a residential building were set ablaze by the bandits.

“The Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has been directed to take immediate action towards ameliorating the condition of locals taking refuge at Ungwan Gado Primary School, Gwagwada.

“Similarly, the agency will carry out assessments in Kugosi to ascertain the damage suffered following the attack.

“Meanwhile, aggressive patrols are being sustained by troops in the general area. (Pictures attached) “In another development, troops on patrol in the Alheri Camp general area on the Kaduna-Abuja highway encountered a road traffic accident in the early hours of Thursday just after Olam Company, involving a Sharon van and Toyota Hiace bus.

“Ten passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries, and received emergency attention from the troops, before being evacuated to the hospital. No deaths have been recorded so far. (Pictures attached).

“Citizens are urged to support the Government’s efforts by volunteering useful information to the Kaduna State Security Operations Room.

“Citizens will continue to receive security updates in line with the principle of participatory security engagement.”