North-west banditry: Army kills 17, loses 3 soldiers, arrests female bandit, destroys notorious camp in Katsina

Troops of the operation Exercise Sahel Sanity with a mission to rid the North-West zone of armed banditry has captured a notorious armed bandits camp, killed 17, lost 3 gallant soldiers, arrested female bandits during the encounter in Katsina State.

In a statement issued today Sunday in Gusau, the Acting Director Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters Brigadier-General Bernard Onyeuko said the captured camp was a stronghold of armed bandits in the north-west zone.

“on 18 July 2020 gallant troops of Combat Team 1, Operation SAHEL SANITY with the support of Air Task Force advanced and captured one of the notorious armed bandits’ strongholds located deep in the forest in Jibia LGA of Katsina State known as Dangote Camp”.

According to him, bandits were effectively subdued by the superior tactics and dexterity of the troops which resulted in inflicting heavy casualty on the bandits.

“At the end of the encounter, 17 bandits were neutralized while several others were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds as evident by the trails of blood along their escape routes.”

He added that five (5) AK 47 Rifles, 3 Dane guns, 2 AK 47 Rifle magazines, 152 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and 7 motorcycles were captured from the fleeing bandits.

“Regrettably, one brave officer and 2 gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while 4 other soldiers were wounded in action.”

He disclosed that the wounded in action soldiers are currently responding positively to treatment in a military medical facility.

Also, on 18 July 2020, troops conducting fighting patrol along Faskari – Sheme – Dandume Road in Katsina State, arrested 5 suspected bandits including one female.

“One of the suspects, Bashir Usman who claimed to be a policeman during interrogation could not validate his claim with any form of identification was apprehended with one AK 47 Rifle loaded with 28 rounds of ammunition while riding on a motorcycle.”

Brigadier-General Onyeuko further revealed that on 17 July 2020, troops following a tip-off that bandits invaded Kuka Uku Village in Batsari LGA, Katsina State and kidnapped a 16-year-old Miss Hadiza Sani, promptly mobilized to the area and made contact with the bandits who abandoned the victim and fled due to the troops’ aggressive pursuit.

The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai commended the troops for their gallantry, successes and their resilience.

He urges them not to rest on their oars but build on the successes so far achieved.

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