The Nigerian military says that the combined efforts of its land and air troops killed 89 bandits in Zamfara State, a major hotbed of banditry and kidnap in the Northwest region of the country.
Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Major General John Enenche, said in a statement on Saturday that various weapons were also recovered from the bandits as the military destroyed their camps.
According to the statement: “Troops of Sector 9 Operation HADARIN DAJI on 24 April 2020 supported by Troops of 35 Battalion and Quick Response Group of 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Two helicopter gunships of the Nigerian Air Force, personnel of Nigeria Police Force and elements of Nigerien Army, neutralised bandits, recover (sic) arms and ammunition along Gidan Jaja in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
During the operation, 89 bandits were neutralized and uncomfirmed number escaped with gunshot wounds. Items recovered include: 19 AK 47 rifles, 1 PKT machine gun,9 magazines, 167 rounds of 7.62 (Special), one dane gun and one locally made pistol were recovered. There was no loss of troops or equipment on our side.
“Additionally, 322 rustled cows, 77 motorcycles and 9 cell phones were recovered. Five kidnapped victims comprising 3 females and 2 males were rescued. The bandits’ camps were cleared by troops. Formal handover of kidnapped victims and rustled cows will be carried out following due process.”