Army: We killed 68 Zamfara bandits in two months

The Nigerian Army says it has killed 68 bandits, arrested six suspected kidnappers and recovered 17 motorcycles in Zamfara from April to date.

Udeagbala Kennedy, brigade commander, 1 army brigade command, Sokoto, disclosed this while handing over the six suspected kidnappers to the police in Gusau, Zamfara capital, on Tuesday.

“The Nigerian army and other security agencies commenced clearance operation to rid out all the bandits and curtail the banditry activities in the state,” he said.

“Today military and other security agencies were able to carry out successful operation in all nooks and crannies of the state which led to the success recorded.

“During the period, a number of casualties on banditry activities were recorded as follows, a total 68 bandits were killed between the first week of April to date and unfortunately we lost two of our gallant men – Capt. Muhammad and Private Mijinyawa.

“Apart from the 17 recovered motorcycles from the killed and fleeing bandits, we also apprehended six suspected kidnappers and one-gun runner.

“I am directed by the army headquarters to hand over the suspects and the motorcycles to the state commissioner of police and director, Department of State Service (DSS) for further investigation and I hope these activities will lead to the arrest of their colleagues.”

Two months ago, suspected bandits attacked Birane and Bawar-Daji villages in Anka and Zurmi local government areas (LGAs) of the state killing many persons.