[News] Top bandits’ commanders and 48 others killed in North West — Army

The Nigerian army has announced that many bandits’ commanders and over 48 members of their gangs in North West region of the country, have been eliminated by troops of 8 Division operating in Zamfara and adjoining states.

Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima said in a statement on Monday May 10 that the Division had earlier launched “Operation Tsare Mutane” following the directives of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru for stabilization of security situation in the zone to facilitate the return of socio-economic activities.

Yerima said;

“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 known as Jummo sustained a gunshot wound to his leg.

“The troops rescued 18 kidnap victims from the bandits’ enclave and recovered eight AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, one PKT and a Machine Gun from the bandit.”

Bandits’ camps around Gabiya, Bozaya and Mereri and the adjoining forests in Maru Local Government Area were also sacked in the second phase of the operation, leading to the death of bandits’ leaders including Yellow Mai-Bille, Sani Meli, Dan-Katsina and Sama’ila Bakajin Bari. Their main leader known as Nasanda, narrowly escaped with fatal injuries.

One Isan Heshi, a close ally of a notorious bandit called Nagala was also neutralized in the operation in which 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.