The Nigerian military in their continued efforts to clear armed bandits and other criminal elements so as to return sanity to the Northwest zone, recording yet another win, as troops killed armed bandits and rescued kidnapped victims in Katsina.
According to the statement released on Friday 13th November 2020, by the Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, the success was recorded due to the intensified tempo of offensive operation within the theatre, by the troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY against bandits.
Stating further, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko in his statement said: “On 12 November 2020, troops while on routine patrol along the fringes of Dajin Wuta Forest came in contact with bandits on motorcycles. In their attempt to escape from the advancing troops, the terrified bandits ineffectively opened fire and withdrew into the forest but the resilient troops gave them a hot pursuit with overwhelming firepower.
In the aftermath of the encounter, one bandit was neutralized and one AK-47 rifle loaded with 27 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition was captured while several others are believed to have escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds as evident in the trails of blood along their escape routes during exploitation. Troops continue to dominate the general area in search of any straying bandit,” he said.
He also added that, “on 11 November 2020, troops deployed at Angwan Doka, during a clearance operation rescued kidnapped victims which were 2 teenage girls at Munhaye village. Preliminary investigation revealed that the duo were kidnapped by suspected bandits at Dan Aji village in Faskari LGA of Katsina State. The victims also revealed that their abductors freed them and fled on noticing troops presence in the area.
To this end, the gallant troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY are commended for the successes achieved and their commitment. They are further urged not to rest on their oars until the Northwest zone is rid of all criminal activities.
Additionally, the good people of the Northwest are once more assured of the troops’ commitment to the safety of lives and properties within the zone. They are also encouraged to avail the troops with timely and credible information that will assist in the conduct of their operations,” he said.