Troops intercept bandit gunrunner, kill 3, retrieve ammunition, motorcycle – Army

The Nigerian Armed Forces say as part of its clearance operations in northwestern states ravaged by bandit attacks, it has intercepted a gunrunner for the militants.

In a statement released on Sunday, June 7, 2020, by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, the army said “on 5 June 2020 [troops] intercepted a Bandits’ Gun-runner and Logistics supplier.

“Items recovered include 496 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and one Bajaj Motorcycle in Mararraba Maigora in Faskari LGA.

“In a cordon and search Operation at Yauyau and Zandam villages troops neutralized 3 Bandits and captured 4. Items recovered include 7 Dane guns, 3 mobile phones and two Motorcycles.

“Those captured are in custody for interrogations. Furthermore, on 6 June 2020 troops engaged fleeing bandits along Dunya- Dangeza road and recovered 2 Dane guns and 4 Motorcycles.

“Additionally, troops destroyed the Daban Jabi camp of a notorious Bandit Leader known as Dan Jangeru. Also at Warnu village 2 bandits were neutralized while others escaped with gunshot wounds, one AK 47 rifle was recovered in the process.

“The general public is requested to continue to provide timely and credible information that would assist in eliminating bandits and other criminal elements in the Country.” the statement said.

President Buhari on Saturday, June 6, 2020, had promised the bandits a “violent and disgraceful end” if they failed to surrender their arms for peace to reign.

According to news reports, in Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto and Katsina states, over 462 people have been killed by bandits between January 1 and June 6, 2020.

In January, 16 people were killed in Zamfara, 5 in February, 20 in March, 4 soldiers were killed in April, and 33 were killed between May 1 and June 6, 2020.

73 were killed in Sokoto in May, 22 in April, 1 in March with 6 kidnapped.

In Katsina, 10 were killed in January, 34 in February, 49 in April, and 13 in May.

In Kaduna 43 were killed in January, 20 in February, 52 in March, 23 in April, and at least 44 between May 1, 2020 and June 6, 2020.