Banditry: Troops Kill ‘Nameless’ Gang Leader, Others In Plateau

The Defence Headquarters said on Tuesday that its troops of Operation Safe Haven eventually killed a notorious bandit leader in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, who had escaped an onslaught by troops with gunshot wounds last week.

This was disclosed by Defence Spokesman, John Enenche in a statement.

Enenche, who did not disclose the name of the bandit, said he was killed along with some of his fighters following “a daring raid on the bandits’ hideout at Tafawa village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.”

According to him, the latest “success” was achieved following credible and actionable intelligence from local sources on the whereabouts of the notorious bandit leader hibernating in the general area.

Enenche, however, said some of his fighters escaped with fatal wounds during the raid, adding that troops had commenced pursuit of the fleeing criminals with express orders to bring them to book.

He said: “Troops recorded this latest success following credible and actionable intelligence from local sources on the whereabouts of the notorious bandit leader hibernating in the general area. Recall that earlier on 26 September 2020, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN engaged armed bandits during a foiled robbery at Bisichi. During the operation, the bandit leader was fatally injured, but managed to flee the onslaught and was receiving treatment at the hideout in Tafawa village.

“However, troops stormed his hideout, undeterred by the criminals’ futile effort to halt the advancing troops through sporadic firing. The valiant troops, adopting aggressive tactical maneuvers, overwhelmed the criminals with effective and superior firepower, neutralizing the bandit leader and some of his fighters while several others escaped with fatal wounds. Troops are however in pursuit of the fleeing criminals with express orders to bring them to book.”