Zamfara: 35 bandits killed in gunfight with troops

Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have killed 35 bandits in a firefight, which also led to the recovery of many cows rustled by hoodlums in Zamfara State.

A statement on Monday by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Major General John Enenche, said the incident happened on Sunday.

It stated, “Following credible intelligence on the movement of armed bandits with rustled animals at Bungudu LGA of Zamfara State, troops of Forward Operating Base Kekuwuje yesterday 17 January 2021, responded immediately and made contact with bandits.

“In the course of the encounter, 30 armed bandits were neutralised while 24 cows and an unspecified number of sheep were recovered.

“Similarly, still on same 17 January 21, troops deployed at Maradun received information of reprisal attack by armed bandits at Janbako Village in the Maradun LGA of Zamfara State.

“Troops swiftly mobilised to the area to forestall the reprisal attack. They were ambushed short of Janbako village where firefight ensued.

“The gallant troops overwhelmed the bandits and neutralised five of them. Currently, troops are in pursuit of fleeing bandits.”

The statement also said the army arrested two bandits’ collaborators during the operation.

It added that the armed forces and other security agencies would sustain the offensive against the enemies of the nation.

“We shall not relent until normalcy is restored to all troubled zones of the country,” it stated.