Troops of Operation Sahel Sanity of the Nigerian Army have given armed bandits terrorizing the North West, a bloody nose, killing 100 of them, arresting 148 others.
This was announced, Saturday, by the Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig. General Benard Onyeuko, who told journalists that the criminals were neutralized as part of the army’s relentless campaign against banditry in the region.
The Army, Brig. General Onyeuko added, made the gain between July and September this year.
In addition, the Defence spokesman also disclosed that the Nigerian soldiers also arrested 315 illegal armed miners and recovered 3,984 cows, 1,627 sheep in Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto States respectively.
He made the disclosures while intimating newsmen on the achievements of the Army during operations carried out in the said period. The press conference was held at the Special Army Super Camp IV, Faskari, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Operation Sahel Sanity was launched by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, on July 6, 2020, to support Operation Hadarin Daji in tackling banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and incessant killings confronting the North West zone of the country.
Brig. General Onyeuko also revealed that 43 AK-47 riffles, 100 dane guns, 151 live cartridges, 3,261 rounds of 7.62mm were recovered by troops of Operation Sahel Sanity in the affected states.
That was not all. Troops also rescued 107 kidnapped victims and arrested 32 persons suspected of supplying logistics to bandits, 20 informants and collaborators, six arms suppliers, 13 rustled cattle marketers.
During the period, troops also destroyed 81 bandit camps, including that of the notorious Katsina Dangote, and foiled 74 attacks and 54 kidnapped incidents in the region.
“So far, in all the operations conducted, 100 armed bandits were neutralized, a total of 3,984 cows, 1,627 sheep/rams and 3 Camels recovered, 148 suspected bandits and 315 illegal armed miners were arrested,” Onyeuko said, adding:
“Furthermore, large cache of arms and ammunition were recovered which include 43 AK47 Riffles, 1 GPMG and 100 Dane guns, 3,261 rounds of 7.62mm (special) and 151 live cartridges of ammunition.
“In all the search and rescue operations carried out, 107 kidnapped victims were rescued, 20 bandits informants and collaborators, 6 arms suppliers, 13 rustled cattle marketers and 32 bandits logistics suppliers were arrested”.
“Also, a total of 81 bandit’s camps including the notorious Dangote Triangle and their logistics bases were destroyed by troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY. Relatedly 74 bandits attacks and 54 kidnap incidents were foiled by the troops.”
The Defence spokesman further submitted that as result of these gains by the army, agricultural, social and economic activities that had hitherto been paralyzed by the bandits operating in the North West zone had returned to normal.