Troops kill 58 bandits

The Army said yesterday that 58 bandits had been killed by troops in clearance operations within Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara axis.

It said 78 kidnap victims were rescued.

The Army said 18 camps of the bandits operating in forests within the area were destroyed by troops of Operation Sharan Daji, adding that arms and ammunition were recovered from them.

It said two soldiers and two members of a vigilance group were killed during the encounter.

A statement by the Acting Force Information Officer for Operation Sharan Daji, Major Clement Abiade, said eight soldiers and six vigilance group members were injured during the clearance operation.

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He said: “In line with the mandate of Operation Sharan Daji, troops began clearance operations into bandits’ enclaves in Zamfara and Katsina states on January 19, to last till June. The operation is being conducted simultaneously in collaboration with security agencies and vigilance groups to achieve synergy. The offensive is designed to identify and destroy bandits’ camps/enclaves in the area of operation.

“Already, the operation has recorded some successes. On 20 January, troops came into contact with a large gang of bandits armed with sophisticated firearms and rocket-propelled grenades at Dumburum and Gando forests leading to fierce gun battle, which lasted several hours. The bandits were forced to abandon their camps due to superior firepower during these encounters.

“The items recovered from the bandits include, five fabric national rifles, four AK 47 rifles, 10 locally-made rifles, one locally- fabricated pistol and 40 motorcycles.

“The casualty figures on the bandits’ side were 58 bandits neutralised, while one was captured alive. Troops also destroyed 18 camps and rescued 75 kidnap victims held in some of these camps. The freed captives, who were mostly from local communities in Zamfara State, were debriefed and reunited with their families.”