Troops kill bandits kingpin ‘Sainaje’, rescue 20 in Zamfara

The troops of the Joint Task Force North West Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) have neutralised a bandit kingpin popularly known as “Sainaje” and rescued 20 kidnapped victims in Zamfara.

In a statement issued on Tuesday evening in Gusau, Zamfara State, by the Information Officer of Operation Hadarin Daji, Captain Yahaya Ibrahim, it was reported that the troops achieved another success against the terrorists as part of their dry season clearance operations in Zamfara State.

According to the statement, during the recent operation, the troops rescued 20 kidnapping victims unharmed and neutralised two terrorists, including the notorious terrorist leader identified as Sainaje from Katsina State, in separate operations conducted in Zamfara State.

“On the 29th of January 2024, the OPHD troops, during its continuous clearance operation at terrorists’ enclaves at Rukudawa, Dumburum, Tsanu, Birnin Tsaba, Magare, and Shamushalle general areas of Zurmi and Birnin Magaji LGA of Zamfara state,”

He said during the operation all the terrorists’ enclaves, including those of a notorious terrorist kingpin identified as Sule, were destroyed as the terrorists fled their camps during heavy contact with the aggressive troops.

“The troops neutralised 2 terrorists, including a terrorist leader identified as Sainaje from Katsina State, which led to the rescue of 18 kidnapping victims, comprising 4 males and 14 females, as well as children.”

“Similarly, the troops of Operation HADARIN rescued 2 victims who were abducted by the terrorists while on transit along Shinkafi-Isa road in Zamfara state who were abandoned by their captors during a gun duel with the highly motivated troops whose timely response led to the rescue.”

He revealed that all the rescued victims were handed over to the appropriate authorities to reunite them with their respective families.

The Commander of the Joint Task Force North West Operation Hadarin Daji, General Officer Commanding 8 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Godwin Mutkut, has commended the efforts of the troops for their continued doggedness and resilience in their efforts to restore normalcy in the Northwest.