Banditry: Troops Arrest New Recruits, Kill 3, Recover Ammunition

Banditry: Troops Arrest New Recruits, Kill 3, Recover Ammunition

1. In continuation of aggressive clearance operation to stamp out banditry and other criminal activities in the North Central zone of the country, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE have continued to record more successes. The latest was yesterday 26 November 2020. Following credible intelligence reports on the hideout of some notorious elements who were alleged to be terrorising Abaji general area of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, troops of Sectors 2 and 4 swiftly mobilized to the area to flush out the bandits. Troops made contact with armed bandits around Asogo village who on sighting troops opened fire on them and thereafter fled into the surrounding bushes. Troops promptly returned fire thereby killing 3 while one locally made pistol and 11 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition were recovered.

2. In the same vein, still on same 26 November 2020, troops of Sector 3, carried out a dawn raid on the residence of some henchmen said to be behind recent clashes between herders and farmers at Atiyagiso community in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. During the operation, troops successfully apprehended 2 suspects namely Mr Abdulkareem and Mohammed Sani who confessed their involvement in the crime following which they were handed over to the police for further action.

3. The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies will not relent until normalcy is restored to all troubled zones. Members of the public are requested to continue to provide credible information to the troops operating within their localities.

JOHN ENENCHE
Major General
Coordinator
Defence Media Operations
Defence Headquarters
27 November 2020.

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TROOPS OF OPERATION ACCORD ARREST SUSPECTED BANDITS IN ZAMFARA STATE

1. Troops of Operation ACCORD have intensified the onslaught against armed bandits in the North West zone with attendant successes. Following credible intelligence on movement of suspected bandits, troops of Operation ACCORD on 26 November 2020 arrested 6 youths at Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The suspects were claimed to have returned from Shinkafi Local Government Area. Preliminary investigation revealed that 2 of them were confirmed to be bandits while 2 others were suspected to be new recruits into the camp of a notorious bandit known as Turji. Further search of their phones showed pictures of suspects practicing weapon handling. The suspects confessed to be bandits as alleged. Currently the suspects are in custody for further action.

2. Troops have continued to dominate the general area with aggressive patrols to deny bandits freedom of action. The general public is thus encouraged to continue to provide credible information to the troops operating within their localities.

JOHN ENENCHE
Major General
Coordinator
Defence Media Operations
Defence Headquarters
27 November 2020.