The Defence Headquarters said the country has witnessed downward activities of armed bandits and cattle rattlers in the North West zone in the past weeks, as indicated by the number of casualties of bandits and their victims.
The zone has witnessed upsurge in activities of bandits, cattle rustlers and kidnappers in recent times, which resulted in several military campaigns to rid the region of the criminal elements.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Defence Headquarters, Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche said the feat was as a result of robust kinetic and non-kinetic military operations in the zone.
He said the military, from September 25 to October 7, 20120, has killed eight bandits, arrested 10 others and rescued four kidnapped victims in Kaduna and Katsina states.
Enenche also said that with continued aggressive operations the military has also recorded great feat against bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central zone.
He said troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE and 117 Guards Battalion killed two kinnapers and rescued three kidnapped victims during a joint clearance operation around Mararaba Udege in Nasarawa State.
Enenche added that troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE and Defence Intelligence Agency Tactical Surveillance team arrested a “notorious armed bandit”, Adamu Abu, during a dawn raid operation at suspected armed bandits’ hideout at Maraban Udege in Nasarawa State. he said the suspect was in The operation led to the arrest of a notorious bandit, one “Adamu Abu”, with one locally made rifle and 4 rounds of ammunition.
Enenche also said that troops arrested another “notorious armed robber and kidnapper”, one Nuhu Pate, at Laduga in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State. he said the suspect was “one of the criminal masterminds behind several robberies, kidnappings and other heinous activities in the Southern Kaduna general area.”
He said military would continue to dominate the general areas with clearance patrols, aggressive fighting patrols and confidence-building patrols.
