Troops ‘kill bandits behind abduction of Greenfield University students’ in Kaduna

Troops of the Nigerian Army (NA) have reportedly killed two bandit leaders behind the abduction of Greenfield University students in Kaduna state.

On April 20, 2021, armed bandits attacked the institution and abducted 20 students and three staff members.

Five of the students and a male warden were killed in captivity.

On May 29, 2021, the management of the institution said the bandits released the final batch of the remaining students and non-academic staff abducted, after ransom was paid.

In a statement on Thursday, Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, said six bandits were killed during the raid on Bada-Riyawa axis of the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road on February 22.

Nwachukwu said intelligence sources reported that the two kingpins identified as Boderi and Bodejo were among the insurgents killed during the operation.

He said the bandits’ leaders were also behind the attacks on the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna and the abduction of Yauri school girls in Kebbi state.

GUN DUEL

In another operation, the troops of 1 Division, while responding to the recent attacks on Igabi and Giwa LGA, killed two terrorists during a gun battle.

“Troops in response to recent insurgents’ attacks against civilians in Igabi and Giwa local governments projected ongoing operations to flush out the insurgents from these areas and bring succour to the people,” the statement reads.

“While on a fighting patrol along Maganda-Dausayi -Mugaba axis, troops came under fire from insurgents who  employed rustled herds of cattle as shields while they engaged the troops with direct fire.

“The insurgents whose number could not be ascertained, fired several shots at the troops from the cover of the herds of livestock prompting immediate response from troops. In the ensuing firefight that lasted for about an hour, troops neutralised 2 of the insurgents.”

He said the troops recovered 1 AK 47 rifle, 1 AK 47 magazine, 3 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 Techno phone and 3 Hilux.

Other items retrieved include motorcycle keys, wraps of substance suspected to be marijuana, tramadol tablets  and the sum of N13,200.

The army spokesperson said some of the cattle used as shield by the insurgents were killed during the gun battle.

“Troops are still on the trail of the fleeing insurgents and remain resolute on ridding the area of armed violence,” he added.

“In a separate operation conducted by troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday 22 February 2024, the gallant troops successfully ambushed marauding insurgents along the Bada-Riyawa axis on the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road.

“In the encounter, troops neutralized 6 insurgents and recovered 2 AK 47 rifles, 5 AK 47 rifle magazines, 300 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and 19 motorcycles which were destroyed insitu.

“Intelligence sources are reporting that the notorious bandit Kingpin Boderi who orchestrated many high profile kidnappings including the Yauri school girls, Greenfield University and Nigerian Defence Academy attacks was killed alongside another kingpin, Bodejo in the ambush.”