Some notorious bandits have willingly surrendered themselves and their weapons to Nigerian Army troops in Zamfara State.
According to Defence Media Coordinator, Major-General John Enenche, 2 bandits identified as Usman Ahmed and Mohammed Adamu voluntarily surrendered to the troops on Christmas eve.
They also took the troops to a forest where they hid their weapons after willingly surrendering themselves.
Bibian Anekwe News understands weapons recovered from the hideout include 2 AK-47 rifles, 45 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one cutlass and one knife.
“In continuation of efforts to forestall bandits activities and to ensure peaceful Yuletide celebrations in the North West Zone, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI have intensified its ground and air operations in the Zone.”
“As the Nigerian Air Force fighter jets and helicopter gunships dominate the air space with air patrols and provide close air support for ground troops, the ground troops conduct robust aggressive fighting patrols to deny criminal elements freedom of action.”
“On 24 December 2020, following intensified troops activities in Magami general area of Zamfara State, 2 bandits named, Usman Ahmed and Mohammed Adamu voluntarily surrendered to the troops.”
“The surrendered bandits further took troops to a bush where they had buried some of their weapons and submitted the weapons. Consequently, troops recovered 2 AK-47 rifles, 45 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one cutlass and one knife,” Enenche noted in the statement.
In another development, two bandits were killed by the troops on 23rd December in their hideouts located at Pauwa/Zango Rocks.
Those arrested during the raid have been handed over to appropriate security agencies for prosecution.
“On 23 December 2020, troops conducted clearance operation on bandits’ hideouts at Pauwa/Zango Rocks and environs. During the operation, troops had contact with an unconfirmed number of armed bandits and accordingly, engaged the criminals and killed some of them in contact.”
“Thereafter, their hideouts were cleared and demolished. In the course of the operation, 2 bandits named, Sai’du and Rabiu were arrested and handed over to appropriate prosecuting agency for further action,” the Military spokesperson noted in his statement.
Earlier, Bibian Anekwe News reported that troops of the Nigerian Army on Christmas eve foiled an attack on passengers travelling from Bayelsa to Jos in Plateau State.
Troops deployed under the Operation WHIRL STROKE while on routine patrol, engaged the bandits who had mounted illegal roadblocks and stopped an unsuspecting commercial vehicle.
