By ABUBAKAR AHMED

Soldiers under special operation, Exercise Sahel Sanity, have killed seven bandits in three theatre areas in Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto States.

Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, Acting Director of Defence Media Operations, said in a statement on Friday in Gusau, that the army operations were carried out between July 14 and July 17.

Onyeuko said that troops of Defence Headquarters Special Operation Forces deployed at Batsari had engaged some armed bandits at Jigawar Mallamai in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State and that four bandits were neutralised.

He said that one AK 47 rifle and 21 motorcycles were recovered from the bandits and destroyed instantly.

The spokesman said that on July 15, troops, while conducting clearance operations on suspected bandits hideouts at Garin Maza, Tamuske and Garin Bagwari villages in Sabon Birni LGA of Sokoto State encountered the bandits.

“This resulted in the killing of three of the bandits and the recovery of six motorcycles, which were destroyed along with their hideouts,” the spokesperson said.

He stated that while acting on credible intelligence, troops deployed at Forward Operation Base Bingi, arrested five suspected bandits, who tried to sell 17 cows and a goat at Bingi market in Maru LGA of Zamfara.

Onyeuko noted that preliminary investigation revealed that the animals were earlier rustled from Gabiya village.

He also said that troops deployed at Forward Operation Base Danjibga in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara handed over 121 cows and 37 sheep recovered from rustlers to the Recovery of Rustled Animals Committee for necessary action.

He confirmed the arrest of a bandits’ informant at Isa-Matete Junction in the Isa LGA Area of Sokoto State, saying that the informant was currently helping in investigations. (NAN)