By Augustine Osayande
Troops of “Operation SAHEL SANITY” elements of 17 Brigade and Sector 9 “Operation Hadarin Daji” have killed 3 bandits while many others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds in combined aggressive clearance operations to identified bandits’ enclaves in Katsina State.
Confirming the report on Sunday, Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko said the troops stepped up operations as they continued to push into the remote and hitherto inaccessible areas due to unfavorable terrains with devastating effects on the marauding criminals.
He said between 4 and 9 October, 2020, combined troops of “Operation SAHEL SANITY,” elements of 17 Brigade and Sector 9 “Operation Hadarin Daji” conducted a combined aggressive clearance operation to identified bandit’s enclaves at Dankar, Kandawa, Yau yau, Hayin Yau yau, Bugaje, Zandam, Kwari Mai Zurfi, Yar Gamji, Bukuru and Jibiyawa in Batsari and Jibiya LGAs of Katsina State leading to the neutralization of 3 bandits, while many others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
Onyeuko said the troops recovered one AK 47 magazine loaded with 25 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and one dane gun belonging to the fleeing bandits while one bandit’s motorcycle and 8 bandits’ hideouts were destroyed insitu so far while the operation was still ongoing.
He also stated that in a covert operation based on credible intelligence, 4 suspected bandits were arrested at Kankara and Tudu village of Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina state, including a suspected bandit leader named Mujitafa Shehu.
Onyeuko said on 5 October, 2020, troops deployed in Forward Operation Base Bena in Wasagu-Danko Local Government Area of Kebbi state, in conjunction with troops of 223 Battalion deployed at Wasagu and Unashi, rescued 2 kidnapped victims during a clearance operation to identified bandits’ hideout at Dan Umaru, Rancho and Dan Duniya villages.
He said many of the bandits managed to escape with various degrees of gunshot wounds and the rescued victims had since been reunited with their families amid jubilation by locals.
Onyeuko also stated that following a tip-off, troops of Forward Operation Base Jengebe arrested a suspected drug peddler, one Mubarak Shehu, at Jengebe Check Point in Wanki District of Gusau Local Government Area.
He said the suspect was caught with 20 packets of pentazocine injection concealed in his motorcyle while on transit to deliver item at Kungurmi village of Bungudu Local Government Area.
He said preliminary investigation revealed the drug baron was a member of the cartel that supplied hard drugs to bandits in the forest.
Onyeuko said on 6 October, 2020, troops deployed in Yar Santa in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State rescued a female Kidnapped victim.
He said rescued victim had been reunited with her family.
Onyeuko also disclosed that the troops raided and destroyed bandits’ camps during a clearance operation at Garin Inu, Shekewa Forest, Jajaye, Kerewa, Solar, Mallamawa and Gobirawa in Katsina State.
He said 2 Dane guns and assorted items were recovered during the operation.
He said on 9 October, 2020, troops deployed in Forward Operation Base Magami, while responding to a distress call, rescued 23 kidnapped victims from fleeing bandits who abandoned the captives as the unrelenting troops were closing in on their hideout along Zauni-Jengebe road in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara state.
Onyeuko said preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were kidnapped while on transit to Magami Market from Gusau in a passenger bus.
He stated that all the rescued victims were reunited with their families while efforts were intensified to track the criminal gang members.
He commended the troops of “Operation SAHEL SANITY” for the remarkable successes achieved in the intensified operation and their commitment to duty.
He urged the troops not to rest on their oars until banditry and other sundry crimes were totally eliminated in the North-West.
Onyeuko also assured the people of the North-West of troops’ commitment to the safety of life and property within the zone and encouraged them to continue to avail the troops with credible information that would assist them in the operation.
