Military eliminates 43 bandits, arrests collaborators

The Defence Headquarters says the military has killed no fewer than 43 bandits and arrested 10 with their collaborators within one week in the North West and North Central parts of the country.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, disclosed this while giving an update on the operations of the Armed Forces between November 26 and December 2, 2020 on Thursday in Abuja.

Enenche said the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji eliminated no fewer than 37 bandits at Dunya and Birnin Kogo forests in Katsina State and destroyed their camps in air raids within the period.

He also disclosed that the troops arrested eight bandits and their collaborators in different locations within Zamfara and Katsina States and also rescued three kidnapped victims during the week.

In the North Central, Enenche said the troops of Operations Safe Haven, Whirl Stroke and other subsidiary operations conducted raids at identified criminals’ hideouts, killing six bandits in various encounters within the week.

He said that troops, in conjunction with local vigilante members, engaged bandits at Dutse Magaji in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, killing three, recovered one AK47 rifle and 38 rustled cattle.

He further disclosed that troops also killed three bandits, recovered four AK47 rifles, one locally made rifle, three AK47 magazines, 67 rounds of 7.62mm Special Ammunition and some cash as well as rescued 38 rustled cows.

According to him, troops arrested three suspected kidnappers in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State and recovered one AK-47 rifle, one Barreta pistol, three rounds of 7.62mm Special Ammunition, one pair of military camouflage uniform and nine SIM cards.

Enenche added: “The suspects and items have been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further action.

“As part of non-kinetic activities of the DHQ, the Commander Operation Safe Haven presented TVs, DStvs, tables and chairs to Government Secondary School Gidan Waya in Jama’a Local Government Area, Kaduna on November 27.

“He also commissioned a renovated Clinic at Sabon Kaura village in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State as part of CIMIC activities.

“In a related development, Stakeholders’ peace meeting was held at Headquarters Sector 3 in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau on November 28 as part of measures to curtail incessant kidnapping, illegal mining, and farm encroachment among other security challenges.

“Community members were urged to avail timely and credible information on activities of criminal elements to Operation Safe Haven.

“In attendance were various leaders and other stakeholders of Irigwe, Rukuba, Berom, Afisere, Fulanis and Jarawa.”