In what can be regarded as a major breakthrough in the fight against banditry and insurgency, the special forces of the Nigeria Police reportedly killed 250 high-profile members of the Ansaru terrorist group at Kuduru Forest, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna state.
Backed by its helicopters, the police, in the early hours of Wednesday, hit the criminals’ hideouts believed to be one of their largest camps and killed them in quick succession.
At different times, the dreaded terrorist group claimed responsibility for some high-profile attacks, one of which was that on the convoy of the Emir of Potiskum, Alhaji Umar Bubaram along Kaduna-Zaria road in January.
Three of the monarch’s aides reportedly lost their lives in the incident while several others were injured.
Announcing the feat in a statement Wednesday Force Public Relations Officer DCP Frank Mba said the operation was carried out by a combined team of Operation Puff Adder operatives made up of the Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Forces, Intelligence Response Team, Special Tactical Squad and Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
“Special operatives of Operation Puff Adder of the Nigeria Police backed by the Special Forces of the Police Air wing, in a daring offensive operation, stormed one of the largest operational camps of the Ansaru Terror Group (also housing other bandits and kidnappers) located in Kuduru Forest, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State and successfully neutralized over 250 high-profile members of the Ansaru terror group.
“The operation, which commenced in the early hours of Wednesday, was necessitated by actionable intelligence linking terror and criminal elements in the super-camp to series of terror-related violence, kidnappings, gun-running, cattle rustling and other heinous crimes across the country,” Mba said.
He further said a police Bell helicopter, which provided aerial and intelligence cover for the ground troops came under attack from the bandits using sophisticated anti-aircraft rifles and General Purpose Machine Guns.
Commendably however, the statement said: “The pilot and the co-pilot who demonstrated uncommon courage and expertise, successfully landed the aircraft at the Air Force Base, Kaduna without further incident.
“The operatives were, thereafter, evacuated for medical treatment. Both officers who sustained non-life threatening injuries are currently receiving treatment and are in stable condition,”
He said the helicopter had been flown out of the Kaduna Air Force Base by police pilots’ en-route to Abuja.
The statement also quoted Mba as saying Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu assuring the citizens of safety and sustained intelligence-led operations against bandits across the length and breadth of the nation.
Mba said: “He has equally applauded the unparalleled bravery, commitment and dedication of the police operatives currently conducting the special mission.”
