By MUHAMMAD TIJJANI

Troops of 1 Division/Sector 1, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), have foiled a banditry attack and neutralised one suspected violent extremist.

A credible source at the 1 division disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Kaduna.

The source said the incident occurred during a snap ambush operation in the Maraban Rido general area of Kaduna State.

He said that the operation followed a distress call received late on Thursday, indicating that bandits had rustled livestock in Anguwan Fulan village, Rido area.

Acting on the intelligence, troops swiftly deployed and laid a hasty ambush. On arrival, the troops made contact with the fleeing bandits and engaged them, forcing the criminals to withdraw in disarray with gunshot wounds.

The source added that the troops conducted further aggressive exploitation of surrounding forested areas, including the Kankomi Forest, where another contact was made at a suspected crossing point around Anguwan Sarki.

It added, “During the engagement, the troops again overwhelmed the terrorists, compelling them to abandon their loot and flee.

“Some of the rustled livestock were recovered.”

The source further said that exploitation of the ambush location in the early hours of Friday led to the neutralisation of one terrorist.

Items recovered included two AK-47 rifles, four magazines and 15 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

He said the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, Sector 1 Operation Fansan Yamma, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Wase, commended the troops for their bravery and professionalism, urging them to sustain the tempo of operations against criminal elements.

The GOC reassured the residents of the military’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property, calling on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies. (NAN)