Banditry: We Killed Three, Arrested 150 Suspects In Zamfara – DHQ

A total of 150 suspected bandits have been arrested and three others killed in Zamfara State by troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Acting Director, Media Operations, Benard Onyeuko, while giving an update on the activities of the military operation in the North-West region.

Operation SAHEL SANITY was flagged off on 6 July 2020 with the aim of eradicating banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other sundry crimes in the North-West.

Onyeuko disclosed that the troops also uncovered a hideout used by the bandits at Gadan Zaima.

According to him, the suspected bandits were apprehended on the spot.

He said, “On 23 August 2020, troops conducted a well-coordinated intelligence-based operation leading to the raid of an illegal mining site located along the Gadan Zaima-Zuru Road in the Bukuyyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State which also serve as bandits’ hideout

“During the operation, troops arrested 150 suspects and recovered 20 locally fabricated Dane guns. One of the suspects was neutralised while trying to escape.”

More bandits, according to the acting defence spokeman, were arrested and three others were killed in different parts of the state between August 20 and 21.

He said the suspects were currently undergoing preliminary investigation in the custody of the army.

He added that they would soon be handed over to relevant security agencies for further actions.

Banditry has been a recurring phenomenon in the north, particularly the north west states of Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina amongst others.