Nigerian Army claims to have killed 220 bandits, rescued 7,761 cows, publishes success report
The Nigerian Army, has on Wednesday, said that its troops of Operation Sahel Sanity have killed 220 bandits, and rescued 642 kidnapped victims, as part of its efforts to restore peace and normalcy in communities hitherto captured by the hoodlums in the North-West region of the country, .
The anti-banditry troops also destroyed 197 bandits’ enclaves, including the notorious Katsina Dangote triangle, and nabbed 335 suspected bandits, 326 illegal miners, in Kebbi, Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, and Katsina States.
The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.General Benard Onyeuko, disclosed these during a Press Conference on the activities of the troops at the Special Army Super Camp IV Faskari, Katsina State.
Onyeuko, represented by the Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, said that 73 AK-47 rifles, 1 GPMG, and 194 dane guns, were captured from the marauding bandits.
He reiterated that 5,032 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 568 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and 156 live cartridges, were also recovered by the gallant troops during firefight with the mercenaries in the zone.
The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations affirmed that the Nigerian Soldiers successfully foiled 165 bandits’ attacks, and 81 kidnap attempts in communities across the zone, in the period under review.
He however, revealed that 2 Officers and 4 Soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of safeguarding the lives and property of the citizens in the zone.
His words: “In all the operations conducted from 1st July, to 31st December, 2020, a total of 220 armed bandits were neutralised during combat with the gallant troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY.
“Additionally, 73 AK 47 rifles, 1 GPMG, and 194 Dane guns, were captured from the criminals. Equally, 5,032 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 568 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammunition, and 156 live cartridges, were also captured by the troops.
“Furthermore, 197 bandit’s camps and hideouts, including the notorious Dangote Triangle, and several bandits’ logistics bases, were destroyed by troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY. Also, 335 suspected bandits, 326 illegal miners, 147 bandits informants and collaborators, 14 bandits arms suppliers, 24 rustled cattle marketers, and 46 bandits logistics suppliers, were arrested.
“Similarly, a total of 7,761 cows, 1,867 sheep, rams, and 4 camels, were recovered and given back to the owners by troops within the period. It is also heartwarming to note that a total of 642 kidnapped victims were rescued by the valiant troops, and this include the rescued 344 Students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara.”
