26 rescued, as troops kill bandits in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Niger 

The troops, while on a ground and air operation, closed in on the bandits along Maru-Dansadau road during which nine bandits were neutralised, while 10 men, four women and four children were rescued from the attackers.

The Coordinator of the Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, in a statement said, “Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in Zamfara State in a ground and air operation closed up on bandits in a subsidiary operation, Chingaba, along Maru-Dansadau axis, during which nine bandits were neutralised.

Ten men, four women and four minors who were kidnapped by the bandits were rescued.

“In a similar development, troops in the Isah LGA, Sokoto State, arrested a gun- runner known as Alhaji. At the point of collection, his men in ambush opened fire on troops.

He was neutralised and his men fled with varying degrees of gunshot injury. Troops recovered 140 rounds of 12.7mm, 53 ammunition and one motorcycle.

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“In the same vein, troops of Forward Operating Base at Dangulbi and Dansadau at a blocking force at Gobirawa made contact with bandits forcing them to withdraw in disarray.

“Troops pursued and neutralised one bandit, recovered one AK-47 rifle, three 7.62mm special ammunition, water jet explosives and one motorcycle.

However, following sustained action on the bandits in Mutunj and Dansadau, the village head of Mutumji handed over one AK-47 rifle captured from bandits to troops at FOB Dansadau.”

Meanwhile, the troops of the Nigerian Army deployed at 31 Artillery Brigade have engaged bandits in the Dogon Gona Forest area of Niger State, during which seven kidnap victims were rescued.

The Defence Media Operations Coordinator, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, in a statement said,  “Troops of 31 Artillery Brigade on Saturday on a mop-up operation at Dogon Gona Forest general area of Niger State rescued seven kidnapped victims.

The victims who were abandoned by the bandits after fierce battle encounter were said to have been kidnapped on March 27, 2020 and taken to an unknown destination.

“Following interrogation, the village head of Madaki confirmed that the victims were natives of Roro Village of the Shiroro LGA.

The victims would soon be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further necessary action.

“On the same day, the troops while at Kontokoro village engaged the bandits in a gun duel.

The operation led to the neutralisation of several bandits while some escaped with gunshot injuries.”