Troops kill bandits, rescue abducted farmers in Katsina

Troops of the joint task force in the north-west known as operation hadarin daji (OPHD) have killed two bandits and rescued two farmers who were in their captivity. 

In a statement, Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, said the bandits’ hideouts were also destroyed by the troops in clearance operations in Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states.

Nwachukwu said the troops in conjunction with the police responded to information that bandits had kidnapped two persons on their farm along Tankari village in Dandume LGA of Katsina.

He said the troops engaged the bandits in a gun duel which forced them to abandon the abducted farmers.

He said the victims were rescued and reunited with their family members in Dandume town.

In a similar operation, the army spokesperson said the troops, acting on an intelligent report on bandits’ activities in Kinfau Kirtawa, in Batsari LGA of Katsina, conducted offensive operations within the area and made contact with the gunmen.

“During the encounter, two bandits were neutralized while others escaped with gunshot wounds,” Nwachukwu said.

“During the pursuit of the fleeing bandits, troops captured one motorcycle while government forces continued to maintain aggressive posture in the area to deny the bandits freedom of action.”

He said in Sokoto, soldiers destroyed bandits’ hideouts at Giyawa, Kafarama, Danwaru, Boyekei, Kagara, Aisa, Kwargaba and Lugu villages of Wurno and Goronyo LGAs of the state.

“All identified bandits’ hideouts were destroyed as the bandits escaped due to the superior firepower of the troops. However, five operational motorcycles used by the bandits were captured during exploitation,” he said.

“Furthermore, troops of sector 1 team 10 of operation hadarin daji in Zamfara and Kebbi states conducted a clearance operation and cleared bandits’ hideouts at Dan Makarwa, Tundun Wada and Mairairai village in Danko-wasagu LGA of Kebbi state as bandits continue to flee from their enclaves.”

Godwin Mutkut, commander of the joint task force, assured the people of the region that more bandits’ enclaves would be attacked and destroyed in his area of operational responsibilities.