The 1 Division, Nigerian Army, says its troops have neutralised bandits, rescued captives, recovered arms and cleared bandits’ hideouts in Kaduna, Kano and Niger states.

A spokesperson for 1 Division Nigerian Army, Lt-Col. Musa Yahaya confirmed the development in a statement on Friday in Kaduna.

Mr Yahaya said this was in continuation of the ongoing clearance operation to rid the North-Western part of the country of terrorism and banditry. 

He explained that during the operations, troops neutralised several bandits, rescued many captives and cleared and destroyed countless bandits’ hideouts and motorcycles.

“On July 11,  troops successfully cleared bandits’ location at Sabon Birni, Maidaro, Dogon Dawa, Damari and Saulawa villages, all in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

”During the operation, troops neutralised two bandits and destroyed two motorcycles,” Mr Yahaya said. 

He said on July 12, troops of the division in Kano State raided bandits’ hideouts in Dogon Ruwa and Mayan Ruwa in Falgore forest and arrested four bandits.

“On the same day at Fatika in Kaduna State, troops had an intense firefight with the bandits/cattle rustlers and recovered 72 cows, 29 sheep and a motorcycle,” he said. 

He added that on July 15, during a clearance operation in Kuriga and Manini villages in Birnin Gwari council of Kaduna State, troops came in contact with bandits who had abducted commuters and were taking them to the bushes to negotiate a ransom.

He said troops overpowered the bandits, who flew into a thick forest and rescued 19 abductees. 

Mr Yahaya disclosed that on July 17, acting on credible intelligence, troops embarked on a fighting patrol to bandits’ hideouts in Doka, Chikun local government area of Kaduna.

” During the operation, troops recovered seven Dane guns, four cutlasses and four leg chains. Troops destroyed the camp and proceeded to clear Maguzawa, Parker and Akote villages, all in Chikun and Igabi councils of Kaduna,” Mr Yahaya said. 

Also, on July 22 and 23, troops cleared bandits’ hideouts in Kwanan Mutua in Birnin Gwari council and rescued three kidnap victims.

“At Tasha Itche in Kachia council of Kaduna, troops cleared bandits’ hideouts, neutralised one bandit and rescued six kidnap victims. All the rescued victims were reunited with their families,” the spokesman said. 

Mr Yahaya said, determined to make life unbearable for the criminal elements, on July 27, the troops cleared Kajuru- Gyengere-Tantatu and Kujeni in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna.

“During the clearance operation, troops neutralised two bandits, rescued two kidnap victims, captured one motorcycle and two phones,” he said.

He disclosed that on August 1, in the Sabon Gida and Sarkin Pawa general area of Niger, during a clearance operation, troops had contact and a fierce exchange of fire with bandits, forcing the criminals to run in disarray.

He said during the encounter, one bandit was neutralised while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Mr Yahaya said the General Officer Commanding(GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander Operation Whirl Punch, Maj. Gen. Bamidele Alabi has expressed satisfaction with the conduct and professional disposition of the troops throughout the clearance operation.

The GOC also  commended their committed 

(NAN)