Following the upsurge in activities of unrepentant bandits in Zamfara state, Operation Hadari Daji (OPHD) has commenced intensive kinetic operations and successfully neutralised over 100 bandits including six of their key commanders in different locations in Katsina and Zamfara states respectively.
The bandits were said to have refused to key into the ongoing peace initiatives of the Zamfara state government.
This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the acting force information officer, Operation Hadarin DaJI (OPHD), Captain Ayobami Oni-Orisan and made available to Blueprint in Gusau the Zamfara state capital Saturday.
“From 16 December 2019 to 9 January 2020, OPHD troops comprising personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Airforce, Nigeria Police, Department of State Services and other security agencies, conducted several clearance operations to smoke out and neutralise these recalcitrant bandits from their enclaves,” he said.
Captain Ayobami said within the period, the OPHD troops have flushed out bandits hibernating around Tashar Kuturu, Dankalgo, Gobirawa junction, Bagega, Kawaye, Duhuwa, Sabon-Birni, Dankurmi, Dangulbi, Hayin Bawa, Zango, Unguwar Shanu, Tundu Mali, Magazu, Mayanchi and Gando forest, in Anka, Talata Mafara, Tsafe, Maru and Bukkuyum local government areas of Zamfara state, adding that, the OPHD ground troops backed by the fighter jets of the air component also cleared Shinfida in Jibia local government area of Katsina state, neutralising several bandits in the process.
“During these operations, OPHD troops successfully neutralised about 100 bandits, including six key commanders, and rescued no less than 10 kidnapped persons,” he stated.
He stated that troops recovered some exhibits from the bandits including, 500 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 23 Motorbikes, 15 AK 47 rifles, 4 General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), 1 PKM Machine Gun, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bomb, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tube, 11 fully loaded magazines, 600 rustled cows and 300 rustled sheep respectively.
He said, ” It is worthy of mention that during the clearance operations, OPHD troops in collaboration with the defence forces of Niger Republic apprehended a high-profile gunrunner named “Kunene”, responsible for the inflow of arms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons to the region. In addition, troops also apprehended three suspected bandits; Abubakar Kiri Koloma, Abubakar Ibrahim and Haruna Alhaji Yaro, and two notorious drug dealers; Kabiru Abubakar Isah and Hamisu Dan-kwanba at various locations in Zamfara state during the period. As it is, all the suspects have been profiled and handed over to the relevant security agencies for further interrogation and prosecution”.
