Troops neutralize notorious bandit leader as attack on Kaduna village claims lives
Bandits have killed nine villagers, including four local vigilante members, at the Sabon Layi community in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The bandits, who were said to have stormed the area in large numbers, shot sporadically, killing nine persons before abducting over 20 others and rustling several animals.
It would be recalled that following a tip-off from human intelligence sources, troops of Operation Forest Sanity under 1 Division of the Nigerian Army ambushed and neutralized a notorious bandit leader, Isiya Danwasa, and his cohort.
Intelligence gathered revealed that the bandit leader had intended to send one of his errand boys named Yunusa to purchase some arms and ammunition in Kaduna town.
1 Division Nigerian Army Spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, revealed in a statement on Wednesday that subsequently, the errand boy was trailed and picked up by plainclothes soldiers and later used to lure two of the bandit leaders to a selected ammunition collection point.
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Meanwhile, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch carried out an airstrike on Wednesday that killed some of the fleeing bandits in Sabon Layi village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Commissioner of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, in a statement, said that around 9:44 am on Wednesday, the Ministry received a distress call of bandits attacking Sabon Layi village.
The statement said that it was confirmed that the bandits were shooting, rustling cattle, looting properties, and committing other heinous crimes, a situation which had residents scampering for safety.
Aruwan explained that immediately, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch was contacted for action, and the unit responded promptly to the location.
He said that on arrival at Sabon Layi, a thorough scan revealed normal human activities at the reported location: “However, about four kilometres north of Sabon Layi village, the bandits were sighted fleeing for cover from the aircraft. They were engaged and neutralized in several passes.
“No further movement was observed after the strike. The aircraft sustained its presence overhead before withdrawing.”
The statement said that while the government awaits a formal report on the initial attack in Sabon Layi village, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has praised the Air Component for the prompt action and conveyed his gratitude for neutralizing the fleeing bandits.
