Troops Kill 20, Plan Fresh Onslaught Against Zamfara Bandits

Troops of Operation HADARI DAJI in Zamfara state are planning an all-out onslaught against armed bandits starting from tomorrow (Wednesday), the Force Commander, Major General Jide Ogunlade, said on Tuesday. General Ogunlade while briefing newsmen in Gusau also warned the bandits to surrender their weapons or face terrible consequences. He stressed that the joint operation would commence onslaught on the armed bandits in next 24 hours and urged the bandits to surrender before it’s too late. Ogunlade further revealed that within a short period, the new operation was able to neutralize 20 armed bandits. He said the operations took place at various flashpoints of armed bandits within the state from last May till date. He said, during the operations, 15 armed bandits were arrested by the military including their collaborators and 45 kidnapped victims from various locations were rescued. He further stated that a total of 2,164 stolen cows had been recovered from the suspected bandits across the state within the last six weeks and were already handed over to their genuine owners. According to him, exhibits recovered in different locations from the bandits include: 11 AK47 rifles, 14 local Dane guns, 2,437 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, 2 pump action rifles and 2 locally made guns. “Presently, troops are dominating all flashpoints with aggressive patrols with a view to denying the bandits freedom of action,” he said. He assured communities and environs affected by banditry of their safety, calling on them to report any suspicious movements and activities to the nearest security agency for urgent action. Related Killings persist in Zamfara as Yari stays away Military kills 58 bandits, loses 2 troops in Zamfara Police open up on clash with bandits: How we lost 16 policemen, rescued 20 others in Zamfara