Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralized scores of bandits who attempted another deadly attack on Kabasa and Gidan Goga villages in Zamfara State.
The bandits had started attacking the locals in the area when troops arrived following a tip-off and engaged the insurgents in a gun battle.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, in a statement, noted that the clash occurred on Tuesday.
Yerima noted in his statement that many of the bandits were killed during the encounter while others escaped into the bushes with various degrees of wounds.
He however disclosed that a soldier lost his life during the encounter.
He said: “Following a credible tip-off, Troops of Sector 3 Operation HADARIN DAJI on Tuesday stormed Kabasa village in Magami Local Government of Zamfara State where armed bandits were attacking locals.
“The timely arrival of troops forestalled a deadly kidnap and plundering operations by armed bandits which was underway. They were swiftly engaged by troops who successfully neutralized scores while others escaped into the forest with bullet wounds. Unfortunately, one soldier paid the supreme sacrifice and three others who sustained various degrees of injuries during the encounter are currently receiving medical treatment.
“Troops have dominated the general area with aggressive patrols and have continued further exploitation and pursuit of the bandits into the forest”.
The Army spokesman added: “Similarly, on the same day, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI responded to a distress call that armed bandits were attacking Gidan Goga village in Maradun LGA of Zamfara state. Troops swiftly mobilized to the area and engaged the bandits with superior fire power, killing 3 while others fled in disarray, some with gunshot wounds.
“In another development, troops conducting fighting patrol rescued 2 female kidnapped victims in Birnin Gwari area. Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were kidnapped 22 days ago from Kuyallo village Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna state. The victims have been given medical treatment while waiting to be reunited with their families.
“The Chief of Army Staff have already congratulated the gallant troops while charging them to keep up the momentum until the entire North West zone is rid of armed bandits, cattle rustlers, kidnappers and sundry violent crimes.
“He also thanked the villagers for the credible and timely information they provided the troops which made their operations successful.
“The COAS said the patriotic action of the villagers who saw something and reported to the troops should be emulated by others so that the activities of bandits will be nipped in the bud”.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has accused state governments of not working with the Federal Government to put an end to insecurity in Nigeria.
Mohammed made this claim at the 2021 first quarterly meeting of Secretaries to State Governments of the 36 states and the FCT with the theme: ‘The role of Secretaries to the State Governments in strengthening sub-national level security architecture’.