Troops rescue kidnapped victims in Katsina, killed one bandit
By Benjamin Arida
As security agents are working round the clock to get rid of criminals in the society, a notorious bandit has been reportedly killed along the fringes of Dajin Wuta forest while troops of Operation Sahel Sanity, Faskari, Katsina State stormed the community on a rescue mission.
The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Katsina.
He revealed that the troops encountered bandits along the fringes of the forest, leading to the bloody encounter and the subsequent death of one of them (the bandits).
The statement also revealed that many of the bandits escaped inside the forest with varying degrees of injury.
It was equally learnt that the troops, had earlier on Wednesday, 11, November, 2020, rescued two teenage girls.
The troops were lauded for their action and enjoined not to relent in the current efforts to rid the North-West of banditry and other crimes.
The troops were said to be on a clearance operation when they rescued the girls at Munhaye village.
The statement read in part, “On 12 November 2020, troops while on routine patrol along the fringes of Dajin Wuta Forest came in contact with bandits on motorcycles. In their attempt to escape from the advancing troops, the terrified bandits ineffectively opened fire and withdrew into the forest but the resilient troops gave them a hot pursuit with overwhelming firepower.
“In the aftermath of the encounter, one bandit was neutralized and one AK-47 rifle loaded with 27 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition was captured while several others are believed to have escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds as evident in the trails of blood along their escape routes during exploitation.
“Also, on 11 November 2020, troops deployed at Angwan Doka, during a clearance operation rescued 2 teenage girls at Munhaye village.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the duo was kidnapped by suspected bandits at Dan Aji village in Faskari LGA of Katsina State.
“The victims also revealed that their abductors freed them and fled on noticing troops’ presence in the area.”
