Troops of 223 Battalion, 1 Brigade of 1 Division, Nigerian Army, on Thursday raided suspected livestock rustlers and armed bandits’ camps at Tofa forest in Gusau Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State.

Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, announced that during the operation, an armed bandit was killed, while a few others sustained gunshot wounds. “The troops recovered 1 Dane gun, 2 Locally made pistols and 4 Motorcycles. In line with established procedure, the camps were destroyed,” Col. Usman said in a statement issued on Friday.

He added: Similarly, the troops also went on a long-range patrol along Dumburum-Batsari forest axis in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State, as well as part of Katsina State.

“They also discovered several cattle rustlers and armed bandits’ camps and destroyed them after an encounter with the bandits in the area. Here too, the troops killed a bandit, while others fled on motorcycles and recovered 3 locally made pistols.

“Thereafter, the patrol team proceeded to Batsari in Katsina State and linked up with troops of 35 Battalion of 3 Brigade Nigerian Army and cleared several bandits’ camps within the area. The troops in conjunction with Nigeria Police also recovered a stolen Mercedes Benz car model E200 with registration number Lagos CW 504 LND from one Gambo Ibrahim of Kubacha town, that was stolen at New Karu.

“Similarly, troops at Anchau, Kaduna State, pursued a notorious armed bandit named Danladi Tasha Adamu along Kargi District unfortunately, he fled into the bush. He however abandoned 7 rustled cattle. The recovered livestock were handed over to Kubau Local Government Council officials.”

•Photo shows a rustlers’ camp on fire after being set ablaze by troops.

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