By Attahiru Gusau
Troops of Operation Sahel Sanity, have killed 21 armed bandits and recovered AK47 magazine in their continued fight against bandits in the the North West states.
A statement by the Acting Director Defence Media Operations, Brigadier-General Bernard Onyeuko said three soldiers were however killed.
“On 24 September 2020, based on credible information on bandit attack in Unguwar Doka village of Faskari local government area of Katsina state, gallant troops of Operation Sahel Sanity, responded swiftly and immediately mobilized to the general area where they successfully cleared the village of the marauders to the admiration of the locals,” the statement reads.
According to Onyeuko, troops neutralized 21 bandits while others escaped into the forest with gun wounds. “Evidence showed the trails of blood along the criminals’ escape route in the area”.
He maintained that the troops successfully rescued three kidnapped victims, including an eight-month old baby that had been in the custody of the criminals for more than 23 days.
“During the exploitation phase of the operation,the gallant troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, one AK 47 magazine and three motorcycles from the fleeing bandits.
“Regrettably, resulting from the encounter with the bandits, one gallant officer and two soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice while two other soldiers were wounded in action and are currently receiving medical treatment in a military medical facility and responding positively”.
He assured that the troops would continued to pursue the bandits into the forest and dominate the general areas with aggressive fighting patrols to deny them any respite.
