Incessant raids by troops compel bandits to abandon kidnapped victims in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

Incessant raids by the Nigerian Army under Operation Sahel Sanity based at Faskari Special Super Camp 4 in Katsina State have compelled bandits to chose fleeing for escape and abandoning their captives to find their ways.
This was revealed in a statement which was made available to Journalists in Gusau Zamfara State capital by the Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Bridagier General Bernard Onyeuko.
General Onyeuko, said during the aggrieved operations carried by the men of the Nigerian Army across either areas marked with red or quick response to distress calls by the communities under attacks, bandits were killed, thirteen were arrested while ten kidnapped victims were rescued.
It further stated that, troops on fighting patrol encountered and rescued six kidnapped persons wandering around Tungar Kaduku forest, during preliminary investigation they revealed that they are natives of Damari village in Bakura LGA of Zamfara who were earlier kidnapped by suspected bandits in their village.
The rescued victims who were immediately reunited with their families, also revealed that their escape was possible due to intense pressure by troops presence and operational activities in the area.
“Also on 28 August 2020, troops deployed at Mara laid ambush on suspected bandits who attempted to invade Gobirawa village but were repelled by combine effort of troops and local vigilante. During the ambush troops made contact with the armed bandits and engaged them with heavy volume of fire neutralizing 2 of the armed bandits in the process.
“During exploitation, troops also recovered one AK-47 Rifle and one Motorcycle from the fleeing bandits. Additionally, on same day troops of FOB Bagega while on fighting patrol around Tungar Makeri Village of Anka LGA of Zamfara state rescued 2 kidnapped victims who escaped from Gobirawa forest due to the activities of troops in the general area.
“Relatedly, on 28 August 2020, troops conducted a raid operation at some identified bandits hideouts at Gamji Village where six suspects were apprehended while troops recovered 1 Dane Gun, 1 Motorcycle and 2 cutlasses from the suspects. On same day, troops deployed at Zakka acting on credible intelligence arrested 3 suspected armed bandits namely Sagar Garba, Hafisu Mato and Suleiman Sada.
“Suspects were identified by locals to be members of a syndicate terrorizing the general area. During preliminary investigation the suspects confessed their involvements in recent cattle rustling activities at Kwaya, Sabon Birni and Baure villages”, the statement added.