North-West: Troops Kill 80 Bandits, Rescue 17 Abducted Victims In One Month

The Defence Headquarters on Saturday, disclosed that its troops of Operation Sahel Sanity killed a total of 80 bandits in Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto States in the last one month.

This was disclosed by the acting Defence Spokesman, Benard Onyeuko in an update to review the activities of Operation Sahel Sanity when it began its operations on July 6th.

According to Onyeuko, the troops were able to rescue 17 kidnapped victims, as well as the recovery of seven AK47 rifles, 16 Dane guns and other dangerous weapons.

The acting spokeman said: “The people of the North-West Zone felt the immediate impact of the operation with the tremendous successes achieved within the short period of time. The gallant troops of Operation Sahel Sanity within the period under review have carried out a series of clearance operations, ambushes and other aggressive and confidence-building patrols within Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara States.

“So far, in all the operations conducted, 80 armed bandits have been neutralized, a total of 943 cows, 633 sheep/rams recovered; 33 suspected bandits arrested; 7 AK47 rifles, 1 GPMG and 16 Dane guns captured; 17 kidnapped victims rescued and 14 bandits’ informants and collaborators arrested. Also, several bandits camps including the notorious Dangote Triangle and their logistics bases were destroyed by troops of Operation Sahel Sanity.

“This achievement is further evident by the active resumption of farming, social and economic activities by the locals with reduced fear of threats in their localities.

“The gallant troops continue to dominate volatile areas with confidence building patrols, ambushes and clearance operations to deny the bandits and other criminal elements freedom of action.”