The troops of the Nigerian Army said it have neutralised 10 terrorists and arrested a bandit’s kingpin, Usman Abubakar, a k.a Harinde, in clearance operations in North-West region.
Abubakar, a notorious bandits’ leader in Zamfara was reportedly arrested on Jan. 26, following an intelligence report.
“Abubakar, 35, has been terrorising Shinkafi and Zurmi LGAs, and other villages in Sokoto State.
The Information Officer, Joint Task Force, Operation Hadarin Daji, OPHD, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Gusau.
The troops also apprehended arms smugglers and recovered ammunitions during the raids in Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto and Katsina States.
Ibrahim stated that the troops recorded tremendous successes in coordinated dry season clearance operations in the affected states.
“In a recent clearance operation conducted on Jan. 26, the troops cleared and destroyed terrorists’ enclaves at Pada, Matso-Matso and Yurlumu villages in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
“During the operation, seven terrorists were neutralised while others escaped with severe gunshot wounds.
“In the same day, OPHD troops in Zamfara on fighting patrol neutralised two terrorists at Getso and Ubaka villages under Maru LGA.
“The troops recovered one AK47 Rifle, one magazine and 7.62mm special ammunition and two motorcycle”, he said.
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The spokesman further disclosed that the troops responded to intelligence report on sighting terrorists movement along Sheme – Dandume road in Katsina State. The troops engaged the terrorists, killed one and forced them to flee.
“The troops also acted on credible intelligence on a group of notorious gunrunners with intentions to smuggle weapons into the state which led to the arrest of three suspects in Shinkafi.
“The sum of N2.5 million, one Volkswagen wagon car, three mobile phones were recovered from the suspects”, the spokesman added.
He also disclosed that a combined troops and personnel of Department of State Security Service arrested a terrorists’ collaborator, one Ibrahim Atiku at Amawara village in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State.
Daji noted that all suspects are undergoing preliminary investigation before handing over to the appropriate security agencies for further actions.
