TROOPS of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) in Zamfara have arrested 11 people suspected of supplying a notorious terrorist with logistics in the Zurmi Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
This was contained in a statement by the Nigerian Army via its official X handle on Monday, December 18.
“The suspects were arrested while conveying 127 bags of grains in two Canter trucks belonging to a terrorist kingpin Halilu Sububu,” the statement read.
The statement said that the suspects, apprehended on Sunday, December 17, are currently undergoing preliminary interrogation.
The soldiers also rescued 13 abducted residents of the Mutunji village, Dansadau Emirate, Maru local government area, believed to have been abandoned by fleeing terrorists on Sunday.
“All the rescued victims are all from Mutunji village of Dansadau Emirate in Maru LGA of Zamfara state, and they are currently undergoing medical treatment and debriefing. All the rescued victims were handed over to representatives of the Zamfara state government to unite them with their families,” the statement further read.
The troops also cleared a notorious terrorists’ hideout at Gidan Jaja in Zurmi LGA of the state.
Zamfara has remained one of the hotbeds for insecurity in Nigeria, following activities of terrorists who have terrorised the state for over a decade.
On Sunday, terrorists shot at motorists along Dogon Karfe on the Gusau – Talata Mafara highway in one of the regular cases of terror attacks recorded within the state. Some of the passengers were abducted, while many others were left injured.
The ICIR reported at least 15 deaths resulting from terror attacks in Zamfara state between September and October, including 11 worshippers who were killed during Juma’at prayers at a community mosque in the Ruwan Jema community, Bukkuyum.
Terrorists in the state killed more than 100 people in January 2023 when a large number of men invaded at least nine villages and unleashed mayhem in violent attacks that lasted for about three days.
On December 15, The ICIR reported bandits in the state killing soldiers and destroying armoured trucks hours after an LGA demanded more weapons from the Federal Government to enable the military to confront the bandits and other criminals in the state better.
Ijeoma Opara is a journalist with The ICIR. Reach her via vopara@icirnigeria.org or @ije_le on Twitter.