THE Nigeria Army authorities on Saturday disclosed that troops on Operation HARBIN KUNAMA III has successfully launched attacks neutralising bandits and destroying their camps across Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi states.
Director of Army Public Relations, Sagir Musa, made this known in a statement on Sunday, saying the number of casualties suffered by the bandits was yet unconfirmed but five of their camps were destroyed in Gando Forest of Kebbi State.
Among the many items recovered from the bandits were 25 motorcycles, 8 AK 47 rifles, 2 General Purpose Machine Guns, 2 G3 rifles, 3 dane guns, 9 AK 47 magazines and 48 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Speaking on behalf of the General Officer Commanding GOC, 8 Division, Maj. Gen Hakeem Otiki, he said the operation which covered Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states witnessed a series of successful simultaneous ground operations activities which involved raids, ambushes, cordon and search with the occasional support of the Air Task Force component which the troops are poised to sustain.
“Similarly, troops deployed in Super Camp covering Bena, Jega, Danko and Wasagu encountered and annihilated an unconfirmed number of bandits and destroyed five bandits’ camps in Gando Forest of Kebbi State,” he said.
Troops of Operation HARBIN KUNAMA III have in a renewed efforts arrested several gangs of bandits terrorizing Isa, Rabbah and Burkusuma communities around Sububu Forest in Sokoto State as well as in Batsari, Safana and Kankara in Dumburum Forest of Katsina state. pic.twitter.com/amfqXGFuCj
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) June 29, 2019
Musa emphasised that the military operations were geared to dislodge the bandits from their hideouts to enable internally displaced persons to return to their homes safely.
“The operation is to facilitate the return of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons back to their homes, creating the enabling environment for economic activities to thrive and instil confidence in the locals to remain in their villages and continue their normal lives unmolested,” he said.
He also assured residents of the various communities of the Nigerian Army’s readiness to provide adequate security and improve synergy and collaboration with other security agencies within 8 Division’s area of responsibility with the aim of combating banditry, cattle rustling, and kidnapping.
Amos Abba is a journalist with the International Center for Investigative Reporting, ICIR, who believes that courageous investigative reporting is the key to social justice and accountability in the society.