One of the bandits’ camps destroyed in Zamfara

Troops of Operation Sharan Daji have neutralised activities of some bandits in Zamfara, in an operation to rid the state of criminal elements.

The casualty figures on the bandits’ side were 58, while one was captured alive.

A statement by Maj. Clement Abiade, the Acting Force Information Officer of the ongoing Operation Sharan Daji, however, said two soldiers and two members of the vigilante were killed in the encounter.

“In line with the mandate of operation SHARAN DAJI, troops commenced clearance operations into bandits’ enclaves in Zamfara State and Katsina on 19th January, and to last up till June 2019. The operation is being conducted simultaneously in collaboration with all security agencies and local vigilante to achieve synergy. The current offensive is designed to identify and destroy bandits’ camps/enclaves in the area of operation”.

According to him, the operation has recorded some successes as troops also rescued 75 people taken captives by the bandits mostly from local communities in Zamfara State were debriefed and reunited with their families, after troops destroyed 18 of their camps in the state.

Abiade listed items recovered from the bandits to include five Fabric National Rifles, four AK Rifles, 10 locally made rifles, one locally fabricated pistol and 40 motorcycles.

“On 20 January 2019, troops came into contact with a large gang of bandits armed with sophisticated firearms and Rocket Propelled grenades at Dumburum and Gando forests leading to fierce gun battles which lasted several hours. The bandits were forced to abandon their camps due to superior firepower during these encounters”.

Troops also destroyed 18 camps and rescued 75 kidnapped victims held in some of these camps. The freed captives who were mostly from local communities in Zamfara State were debriefed and reunited with their families.

“Those who sustained injuries were immediately evacuated to Federal Medical Centre, Gusau for medical treatment, while those with life threatening conditions were evacuated by air for specialist attention outside the theatre of operation. The families of the fallen heroes have been contacted accordingly, while the deceased members of the vigilante were laid to rest in Anka Cemetery according to Islamic rites”.

Abiade added that the Force Commander, Operation SHARAN DAJI, Maj Gen Olabanji “commiserates with families of the fallen heroes and assures them that their sacrifices will not be in vain”.

“He reaffirms the commitment of operation SHARAN DAJI to rid Zamfara State of all forms of banditry and criminality in line with its mandate. Therefore, the general public is enjoined to cooperate with troops and furnish security agencies with useful and timely information about bandits’ activities within their domain”.