Terrorism: Five suspected foreign bandits, informant arrested

Nigerian troops have arrested five suspected foreign bandits in Nigeria and one Mallam Yahaya suspected to be an informant to bandits.

This was part of the announcement made by the Defence Headquarters on Thursday in Abuja at a news briefing.

The announcement was made as part of the achievements of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the North West zone of Nigeria.

Major General Bernard Onyeuko, Director, Defence Media Operations, said: “Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI in the North West Zone of the Country have continued to sustain operational activities through the conduct of fighting and clearance patrols to clear bandits and terrorists’ enclaves.

“On 25th July 2022, troops on routine patrol arrested five suspected foreign bandits named Muritala Wada, Saminu Sani, Shamisu Adamu, Salisu Saadu and Usman Ibrahim at Jibia in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

“Furthermore, between 31 July and 2 August 2022, troops arrested Mallam Yahaya a notorious bandit informant who has been on the tracking list of the Department of State Security for collaborating with bandits on the numerous attacks in the Sabon Brini general area of Sokoto State.

“Troops recovered 161 cattle, eight camels, a large consignment of clothing from terrorists after an encounter in Zango in Shinkafi Local Government Area.”

In another operation in the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI on August 6, 2022 carried out successful strikes on key terrorists’ enclave and hideout located at Rudu Forest in Katsina State.

Onyeuko said: “The air interdiction led to the neutralisation of a high-profiled terrorist leader who has been on the wanted list of the military named Alhaji Abdulkareem Lawal (aka Abdulkareem Boss) and his foot soldiers.

“Credible intelligence reports revealed that he was responsible for several terrorist attacks, animal rustling, and kidnapping and was also known to regularly invite terrorist groups from other areas and regions to join in the attack on his targets.

“Report gathered from the locals revealed that the terrorists’ leaders were neutralised alongside 27 of foot soldiers.

“All recovered items and apprehended bandits were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.”