Men and officers of the Nigerian Army fighting armed banditry in the North West region under the code name of Operation Sharan Daji have neutralized 58 bandits, destroyed 18 camps and rescued 75 kidnapped victims held in some of the camps belonging to the bandits.
Acting Force Information Officer, Major Clement Abiade in a press statement said troops came into contact with a large gang of bandits armed with sophisticated firearms and rocket propelled grenades at Dumburum and Gando forests leading to fierce gun battles which lasted several hours.
“Due to superior firepower, the the bandits were forced to abandon their camps and left behind the following items; 5 Fabric National Rifles, 4 AK Rifles, 10 locally made rifles, 1 locally fabricated pistol and 40 motor cycles.
“The Operation suffered casualties in the encounters where two gallant soldiers and 2 members of the vigilante paid the supreme prize.
“Eight soldiers and six vigilantes also sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries and they have all since been evacuated to Federal Medical Centre, Gusau for medical treatment, while those with life threatening conditions were evacuated by air for specialist attention outside the theatre of operation.
“Families of the fallen heroes have been contacted accordingly, while the deceased members of the vigilante were laid to rest in Anka Cemetery according to Islamic rites”, he stated.
