From July 2020 to date, troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY have killed 100 bandits, arrested 463 of them and recovered 5614 livestock during several operations, ambush and patrols conducted around Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
A total of 107 kidnapped victims were rescued, 20 bandits informants and collaborators, 6 arms suppliers, 13 rustled cattle marketers and 32 bandits logistics suppliers were arrested. Also, 81 bandit’s camps were destroyed, while 74 bandits attacks and 54 kidnap incidents were foiled by the troops.
This was revealed by Brig. Gen. Benard Onyeuko, the Acting Director of Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Abuja, while giving an update of activities of Operation SAHEL SANITY from July 1 to September 4, 2020.
He also revealed that a total of 43 AK 47 riffles, 100 Dane guns, 3,261 rounds of 7.62mm (special) and 151 live cartridges of ammunition, and one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) were recovered by troops during the period.
Operation SAHEL SANITY was inaugurated in July 1, 2020, at the Nigerian Army Special Super Camp 4 in Faskari, Katsina state, to support Operation HADARIN DAJI to stop activities of bandits, cattle rustlers, kidnappers, and other criminals in the North West geo-political zone.
Activities of bandits and kidnapers had since last year claimed several lives and crippled economic activities in Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi and Zamfara states, despite efforts of the military and security agencies to bring it to an end.
However, the Defence Headquarters said the recent operation code named SAHEL SANITY has stem the tide and normalcy has gradually returned to the affected areas.
“These acts of criminalities orchestrated by the bandits has been curbed and reduced to its lowest ebb, thanks to the relentless efforts of the troops… the hitherto crippled agricultural, social and economic lives of the people of this zone by bandits activities has been restored to normalcy,” Onyeuko said.
“The tremendous successes achieved since the operation started could not have been possible without the sacrifice, commitment and gallantry exhibited by the professional soldiers of the Nigerian Army, some of whom have paid the supreme price within the period under review,” he added.
According to him, in order to achieve success the troops embarked on series of clearance operations, ambushes and aggressive and “confidence building” patrols along farms and highways of Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi and Zamfara states, which boosted confidence of people to carry out their economic activities.
“These operations have most importantly led to the rescue of kidnapped victims, recovery of rustled cattle, arrest of suspected armed bandits and their collaborators, smashing of local and international illegal arms syndicates and illegal armed miners,” he said.
Blueprint recalled that the Chairmen of the House Committees on Army, the Governors and traditional rulers of the affected states visited the Nigerian Army Special Super Camp 4 Faskari Katsina State from 7-14 August 2020, where they commended the efforts of the military and security agencies in stemming the tide of banditry and other criminal activities in the area. They also attested that economic and social activities were gradually returning to the affected areas.
Despite the successes recorded, Onyeuko said the troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY would continue to “dominate all the volatile areas with confidence building patrols, ambushes and clearance operations to deny the bandits and other criminal elements freedom of action.”
He commended the troops for their “gallantry, sacrifices, successes and the professionalism exhibited within the short period of Operation”, and urged them “not to rest on their oars but build on the achievements recorded so far.”
“The people of the North West zone of the country are also appreciated for their cooperation in providing credible information for the success of the operation,” Onyeuko said.
“They are also encouraged to continue to avail the troops with actionable information that would aid the desired goal of the operation. They are further reassured of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to restore total peace in the zone and indeed the whole country,” he added.
