Monday 10 May 2021: Troops of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army in Zamfara and some other neighbouring states have killed many bandit commanders and more than 48 of their gang members in Nigeria’s North-West states
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
According to him, the Division launched “Operation Tsare Mutane” following the directives of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru.
He said that Gen. Ibrahim had tasked the Division to take control of the security situation in the zone in order to encourage the resumption of economic and social activities.
Yerima further stated that, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Division, Maj. Gen. Usman Yusuf, launched the first phase of the operation that lasted from March 23 to April 2 in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara.
“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 known as Jummo sustained a gunshot wound to his leg.
“The troops rescued 18 kidnap victims from the bandits’ enclave and recovered eight AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, one PKT and a Machine Gun from the bandits,” he said.
‘Bandits’ camp sacked’
Yerima also revealed that the troops ousted many other bandits’ camps around Gabiya, Bozaya and Mereri and the adjoining forests in Maru Local Government Area in the second phase of the operation.
According to him, the second phase of the operation took place from April 19 to May 3, adding that the areas which were heavily infested by bandits were successfully cleared by the “highly spirited” troops.
He said that key bandits’ leaders including Yellow Mai-Bille, Sani Meli, Dan-Katsina and Sama’ila Bakajin Bari were neutralized in the process while the main leader, known as Nasanda, narrowly escaped with fatal injuries.
He said that one Isan Heshi, a close ally of a notorious bandit called Nagala, was also neutralized during the operation.
According to him, items recovered in the second phase include 4,600 rounds of ammunition, two AK-103 rifles, eight AK-47 magazines, 1,628 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 54 rounds of PKM as well as one motorcycle and five Techno mobile phones.