Nigerian Army Troops Kill Notorious Bandits Leader, Emir, 59 Others

Nigerian Army Troops have killed 60 bandits, including the leader of the notorious gang identified simply as ‘Emir.’

Naija News reports that the Nigerian Army Troops of the Operation HADARIN DAJI (OPHD), killed the bandits in a bid to rid of Zamfara state off criminal elements.

The Acting Force Information Officer, Captain Ayobami Oni-Orisan, made this known in a statement on Saturday, October 12.

In his statement, Oni-Orisan recalled that on 3rd of October 2019, troops deployed at SUNKE in ANKA Local Government Area, came under unprovoked attack by armed bandits despite the ongoing peace process in the State.

However, the gallant troops successfully repelled the attack, killing 19 bandits in the process. while unfortunately, four soldiers lost their lives during the encounter.

“As a result of the encounter, troops further commenced aggressive clearance operations nicknamed OP MUSHARE on the 6th of October 2019, with a view to apprehending the recalcitrant bandits. Consequently, between 6th and 7th of October 2019, within BAWA DAJI general area, 3 heavily fortified camps at GUBARAWA, BAWA DAJI and BAWA DAJI Forest were destroyed when the troops overpowered the bandits, overrun the 3 camps and neutralized 39 bandits, (including the notorious bandits’ leader known as “Emir”) and many bandits were obviously wounded,” he said.

The statement by Oni-Orisan noted that items recovered from the bandits/camps: include; 3 AK 47 rifles, 421 7.62mm (special) ammunition, 30 PKT rifle rounds, 10 magazines, 5 motorcycles, 177 cows, 7 handsets, 2 handset batteries, substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa and charms while four soldiers were wounded during the operation.

“Additionally, troops also arrested a suspected bandit, Abubakar Umar along road LAMBA – DAMRI axis with the sum of N400,000 presumably for purchase of bandits logistics supplies. The suspect will be handed over to the civil police for further inve stigation/necessary action.

“Additionally, on the 8th of October 2019, troops on fighting patrol in BUKKUYUM general area, intercepted some logistics items enroute to bandits’ camps. The items include: 13 Jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 8 litres of engine oil and 4 motorcycle tyre tubes.

“Furthermore, on the 9th of October 2019, troops deployed in ANKA general area, based on intelligence intercepted and arrested suspected bandits’ logistics suppliers named LAWALI UMAR AND JAMILU LIMAN around KUTURU village in ANKA Local Government Area of the State purchasing some logistics items for onward movement to the bandits’ camps. Consequently, the troops recovered the under listed items: 4 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 1 carton of Malt, 3 packets of soft drinks and1 packet of Nutri milk.

“In a related development, based on intelligence indicating that armed bandits were seen crossing with some rustled cows at DAKI TAKWAS in ANKA Local Government Area, OPHD troops deployed in the general area immediately ambushed the criminals along road ANKA-DAKI TAKWAS. The criminals fled and abandoned the rustled cows in the area. Troops pursued the fleeing criminals and successfully neutralized 20 of them,” he disclosed.