By Ahmed Attahiru Gusau
The Operation Sahel Sanity of the Nigeria Army says it killed three bandits, rescued three nursing mothers but lost one soldier in North West.
This is contained a statement by the Acting Director Defense Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko on Sunday.
“On 29 October 2020, troops swiftly responded to a distress call about bandits activities at Diskuru village in Faskari local government area of Katsina state. The incident was recorded as the marauding bandits storm the village on several motorcycles, shooting sporadically with the intent to scare the locals and loot valuables. The gallant troops engaged the criminals in a fierce fire fight forcing them to withdraw in disarray,” the statement reads.
According to him, during the encounter, 3 bandits were neutralized by the troops and several others were believed to have escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds.
“During the exploitation phase, 2 additional bandits’ bodies were discovered along their withdrawal route. Also in the aftermath of the encounter, 3 women and their infants earlier kidnapped by the bandits were rescued from the criminals,” it further reads.
He revealed that troops continued to dominate the village and adjoining environment to deny the bandits any respite.
“Regrettably, one brave soldier paid the supreme price in an attempt to save one of the rescued nursing mothers in the heat of the encounter”.
Onyeuko said on 27 October 2020, troops deployed at Dan Ali village acting on reliable Information, arrested 2 suspected bandits collaborators namely Samaila Usman and Idi Bello.
“The gallant troops are commended for the successes achieved and their commitment, urged not to rest on their oars until the Northwest zone is rid of all criminal activities”.
He maintained that people in the Northwest were assured of the troops’ commitment to safety of lives and properties.
