Armed forces neutralize key bandits’ leaders, 48 others in Zamfara

Nigerian 8 Division Army operating in Zamfara have neutralize key bandits leaders including 48 others in the ongoing clampdown on banditry and other heinous crimes in the North West.

While speaking in a statement made available to newsmen, the Director Army Public Relations Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, said the offensive against the criminal elements, followed the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahir, to the Division to stabilize the area to facilitate the return of socio-economic activities.

Moreso, eighteen kidnapped victims were rescued while loads of ammunition were recovered from the criminals.

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“Troops of 8 Division, Nigerian Army operating in Zamfara and adjoining States made tremendous progress in the ongoing fight against banditry and other violent crimes in the North West,” the Army said.

“The Division had earlier launched Operation Tsare Mutane following the directives of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru for the Division to stabilise the area in order to facilitate the return of socio-economic activities”.

“the General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Division, Maj Gen Usman Yusuf launched the first phase of Operation Tsare Mutane which lasted from 23 March to 2 April 2021 in Maradun LGA of Zamfara State. The troops successfully cleared many bandits’ camps in Jaya, Kadaya and Bayan Ruwa amongst several others.

“The troops successfully neutralized 48 bandits while the bandits leader in the area, Jummo, sustained gunshot wound to his leg. The troops rescued 18 kidnap victims from the bandits’ enclave. Moreover, eight AK-47 rifles and one G3 rifle, as well as one PKT and a Machine Gun were recovered from the Bandits.

“Meanwhile, in continuation with the second phase of Operation Tsare Mutane, troops sacked several other bandits’ camps around Gabiya, Bozaya and Mereri and the adjoining forests in Maru LGA of Zamfara State from 19 April to 3 May 2021.

Items recovered in the second phase of Operation Tsare Mutane include 4,600 rounds of ammunition, two AK-103 rifles, eight AK-47 magazines, 1,628 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, fifty four rounds of PKM as well as one motorcycle and five Techno mobile phones.”