Ndudi Anyim
Troops of 8 Division, Nigerian Army, have killed over 50 bandits with 18 kidnap victims rescued in Zamfara and adjoining States in the North-Western zone of Nigeria.
The Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, said the Division had launched Operation Tsare Mutane, following the directives of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, to stabilise the area and facilitate the return of socio-economic activities.
Yerima stated that 8 AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, one PKT, a machine gun, 4,600 rounds of ammunition, two AK-103 rifles, eight AK-47 magazines, 1,628 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 54 rounds of PKM as well as one motorcycle and five Techno mobile phones were recovered in both the first and second phase of the operation.
He said: “The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Division, Maj. -Gen Usman Yusuf launched the first phase of Operation Tsare Mutane which lasted from March 23 to April 2, in Maradun LGA of Zamfara State. The troops successfully cleared many bandits’ camps in Jaya, Kadaya and Bayan Ruwa amongst several others.
“The troops successfully neutralised 48 bandits while the bandits leader in the area Jummo sustained gunshot wound to his leg. The troops rescued 18 kidnap victims from the bandits’ enclave.
“Meanwhile, in continuation with the second phase of Operation Tsare Mutane, troops sacked several other bandits’ camps around Gabiya, Bozaya and Mereri and the adjoining forests in Maru LGA of Zamfara State from April 19 to May 3. The areas which were heavily infested by bandits were successfully cleared by the highly spirited troops.
“Key bandits’ leaders including Yellow Mai-Bille, Sani Meli, Dan-Katsina and Sama’ila Bakajin Bari were neutralised in the process while the main leader Nasanda narrowly escaped with fatal injuries. Equally neutralised in the operation was one Isan Heshi who is a close ally of a notorious bandit called Nagala. Isan Heshi was the second in command to Heshi before he joined Nagala following Heshi’s death in an earlier operation.”
The Army Spokesperson said the COAS had also congratulated the GOC and troops of 8 Division for the gains made so far and urged them to sustain their offensive operations until Zamfara and neighbouring States are stabilised.
“He further assured the GOC of his continuous support in achieving the overall objective of keeping the North-West and the entire country free of terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes,” Yerima said.