Troops kill 5 bandits in Kaduna LGA

• As Police nab 2 suspected others, recover arm, vehicles

From: Femi Oyelola Kaduna

Troops and Special Forces under the auspices of Operation Whirl Punch (OPWP) conducting special fighting patrols in the Kachia-Kajuru axis have neutralized five bandits in the Dantarau general area of Kajuru LGA.

This is as the Police in Kaduna also arrested two suspected bandits and recovered an AK 47 rifle and five vehicles.

This was contained in a statement by the  State Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, and made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The statement stated that the troops embarked on operations to clear the Maro-Enugu axis spanning Kachia and Kajuru LGAs.

“At the Dantarau community, the troops made contact with bandits and after a sharp exchange, five of the criminals were neutralized.

“The troops also recovered two AK-47 rifles, one locally fabricated sub-machine gun, nine AK-47 magazines, 250 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two motorcycles, and two handheld radio sets.”

Similarly, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch successfully hit bandits camps in Sabon Birnin Daji general area of Igabi LGA.

“Credible human intelligence sources confirmed the successful operation resulting in several bandits taken out during the mission. Some of the bandits sustained injuries and are reported to been lurking around the general area in need of medical support.

“Locals in the general area are warned to desist from providing medical support to questionable individuals without recourse to the nearest security agencies.

‘Consequently, citizens are advised to report to the 24 Operations Room on the numbers: 0903 400 0060, 0817 018 9999

“Receiving the feedback, the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, expressed elation at the breakthrough and lauded the troops – under the leadership of the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division Nigerian Army, Major General MLD Saraso – for their determined efforts.

“The Governor further extended commendation to the Air Officer Commanding, Air Training Command, Air Vice Marshall NN Ananaba, and his team, for the outstanding contribution to the security of the state.”

Meanwhile, the police in Kaduna State have arrested two suspected bandits and recovered an AK 47 rifle and vehicles.

Spokesperson of the Police Command in Kaduna, ASP Mansir Hassan said on Saturday, that at about 0310 hours on June 6, 2024, while conducting a routine patrol near the Agoro Level Crossing, a team from the Tudun Wada Division in Zaria, intercepted a suspect identified as Babangida Sani, a 37-year-old male from Faskari Local Government Area in Katsina State.

“He was traveling from Jos to Faskari and had boarded a commercial motorcycle en route to the Flyover Garage.

During the search, the officers discovered an AK-47 rifle in the suspect’s possession. The motorcycle driver, upon witnessing the search, fled the scene but was promptly arrested and taken into custody by the officers,” the PPRO said.

He explained further that on June 4, 2024, at 1800 hours, the Anti-Car Theft Unit of the SCID, acted swiftly on a tip-off and recovered two abandoned vehicles, a Toyota Matrix (Reg No: DKA 321 TT) and a Toyota Camry LE (Reg No: KGK 114 AA), in Mogadishu, Kaduna.

“The following day, on June 5, 2024, at about 1215 hours, a white Toyota Hilux van (Reg No: GWA 845 CY), reported stolen from Karji Junction, was also recovered at Yazid Hotel on Ali Akilu Road, Kaduna.

Further investigations led to the arrest of three suspects: Sa’ad Abdullahi, Salihu Musa, and Usman Zubairu Ganu, all from Zamfara State. They were found in possession of two additional vehicles, a Honda Accord (Reg No: RBC 143 MQ) and a Mercedes Benz (Reg No: BKD 137 SB), also suspected to be stolen.”