Nigerian Troops Kill Scores of Bandits, Arrest 48, Rescue 42 Kidnap Victims
- Operations Hadarin Daji, Safe Haven, and Whirl Stroke have made significant progress in the last two weeks
- Troops in the various theatres have inflicted irreparable damage on bandits causing havoc in various communities
- The latest update by the Nigerian Military indicates a renewed campaign to flush out the criminal elements completely
FCT, Abuja - The Nigerian military has arrested 48 armed bandits and rescued 42 persons abducted by the criminal elements in the last two weeks.
This was announced at a press briefing attended by a Legit.ng reporter on Thursday, November 11 by the acting director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier-General Bernard Onyeuko.
Source: Facebook
Brigadier-General Onyeuko who was giving an update on the military's exercises in Operations Hadarin Daji, Safe Haven, and Whirl Stroke said the Armed Forces have adopted the kinetic and non-kinetic approach in dealing with security challenges in the country.
OPERATION HADARIN DAJI
He said troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI carried out extensive land and air operations across the theatre within the period under review.
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He added:
“These operations were conducted at different locations including; Maidabino town in Danmusa LGA as well as Gidan Diya village and Faskari town in Faskari LGA of Katsina state. Other locations were; Gusau – Magami road in Maru LGA; Dauran village in Zurmi LGA and Munhaya forest, all in Zamfara state as well as Zodi Hills along Zuru road in Kebbi state.
“Cumulatively, a total of 16 criminal elements were arrested; 13 armed bandits were neutralized and 6 kidnapped civilians were rescued; while 12 assorted arms and 77 rounds of 7.62mm ammunitions were recovered within the period of 2 weeks.
“Additionally, troops held peace and security meeting with community and youth leaders and other critical stakeholders, as a of non-kinetic approach to addressing the security challenges in the northwest zone of the country.”
OPERATION SAFE HAVEN
He said troops maintained continuous vigilance and dominated operation the entire theatre of SAFE HAVEN with constant land and air patrols to deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He added that the general security situation in the zone was relatively calm within the period in focus, but added that some locations recorded pockets of incidents.
His words:
“Some of these incidents were recorded at; Boi village in Mangu LGA; Rikko, Gangere and Dutse Uku areas of Jos North LGA; Heipang village in Barkin Ladi LGA and Gumsher village in Kanam LGA of Plateau state.
“Other locations were; Gurawa village under Kundum District in Tafawa Balewa LGA of Bauchi state as well as Jankasa village in Zangon Kataf LGA, Wasa Station in Sanga LGA and Agban village in Jama’a LGA of Kaduna state.
“These operations led to the recovery of 7 assorted arms, 19 rounds of 7.62mm, and 104 livestock among other items.
“Troops’ response to distress calls helped to repel and forestall criminal elements and their activities, thereby leading to the rescue of 33 victims of armed bandits’ attacks and kidnap incidents and the arrest of 23 criminal elements within the period.”
Brigadier-General Onyeuko added that Operation SAFE HAVEN also carried out non-kinetic operations by engaging youths in sporting activities.
OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
The military spokesman said Operation WHIRL STROKE has continued to maintain operational tempo in both its kinetic and non-kinetic operations in the north-central zone which he said yielded significant results.
His words:
“Within the period under review, clearance and raid operations were carried out at Gbise, Katsina-Ala, Zaki-Biam, Tungu Atogbenda, Atumbe, and Ior Humber in Benue state as well as Agboda, Udeni Gida, and Araba Udege communities in Nasarawa state.
“Cumulatively, a total of 19 arms including AK-47 rifles, machine guns, 2 locally-made pistols and 6 extra rifle magazines as well as 79 rounds of ammunition were recovered within the period. Other weapons recovered were 36 hand grenades, pump action as well as locally-made rifles and ammunition.
“Also, a total of 9 armed bandits were arrested and 3 kidnapped civilians rescued, 2 armed bandits were killed in the course of the operations.”
He added that troops held peace and security meetings with community/youth leaders and other critical stakeholders and security agencies in both Taraba and Benue states.
Nigerian Military to Monitor Kaduna-Abuja Railway Through NAF Helicopters
Legit.ng had earlier reported that the Nigerian military has deployed some of its attack helicopters to monitor the Kaduna-Abuja railway.
Announcing the commencement of the military exercise, Brigadier-General Onyeuko said:
‘’The important thing is the Nigerian Air Force is present at the rail tracks. Suffice to say, the operation has started. Even if you travel by road, you will see our helicopters along that route.’’
The Attacks on the Railways That Alerted The Military
Two recent attacks on the Abuja-Kaduna railway occurred on the night of Wednesday, October 20, and the early morning of Thursday, October 21.
Raising alarm over the incident, a former lawmaker who represented Kaduna central in the 8th Senate, Shehu Sani, said the bandits had planted some explosives on the rail track.
According to Sani, the explosive planted by the bandits damaged a portion of the rail track preventing the movement of trains along the Kaduna-Abuja railway.
Source: Legit.ng
