By Abdallah el-Kurebe, Editor
#TrackNigeria: The Nigerian Army has said that troops of Operation HABIN KUNAMA III on Saturday ambushed bandits and arrested 18 informants in Kirsa and Sunke villages in Anka local government area of Zamfara.
A statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa made available to Newsdiaryonline Monday said the operation was based on credible intelligence about bandits movements.
“The troops made contact and engaged the bandits in a fierce shoot out at the bushes of Kirsa and Sunke villages which resulted in the extermination of six (6) criminals, the recovery of two AK 47 Riffles and two motorcycles.
“At the general areas of Doka and Mutu villages in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, troops on clearance operation also had a serious encounter on the 20th of April 2019 with a group of well armed bandits which lasted for about two hours.
“The brigands were armed with sophisticated automatic weapons, were overpowered by troops, forcing survivors among them to abandon their camps and logistics which were destroyed by the troops.
“Additionally,18 suspected informants and errand men to the bandits including the village Heads of Doka and Mutu villages were arrested. The following items were also recovered; a. 3 x motorcycles b. 2 x dane guns c. 2 x machetes,” Musa said.
According to the statement, the Force Commander (FC), Major General Hakeem Oladapo Otiki reiterated the resolve of troops the to tackle the menace of armed banditry and other forms of criminality in Zamfara and the contiguous states of Kebbi, Katsina and Sokoto.
He also enjoined members of the public to continue to cooperate with the troops and other security agencies by providing information that will assist in dealing with bandits/banditry activities in the States.
