Troops gun down 3 bandits in Kaduna

Troops of the 1 Mechanised Division and Operation Whirl Punch of the Nigerian Army have killed three suspected bandits during a clearance operation in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A statement by the acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations Officer of the division, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, said the troops on Sunday carried out the clearance operation around the Maro-Chibiya forest general area of Kajuru LGA, during which they engaged the bandits in a gun battle.

He disclosed that one of the bandits was neutralized by the troops, thereby forcing the rest to flee in disarray with gunshot wounds into the surrounding forest.

He said that troops during the operation recovered an AK-47 rifle, one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, ammunition and one mobile phone.

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He said, “The troops also carried out similar operations at Kawara and Filin Jalo villages in Igabi Local Government Area, during which they neutralised another bandit and recovered arms and ammunition while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

“In the same vein, troops of division during another clearance operation at Mai- Kulu- Gwanda, Rafin Gora, Funtua Badadi and Kabawa villages all in Birnin Gwari local government, killed a bandit and captured a radio and a motorcycle belonging to the bandits.

“In the fire fight that ensued, troops neutralized one bandit and recovered one AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 units of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, one motorcycle and one techno phone while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

“The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander operation WHIRL PUNCH, Major General Valentine Okoro, has applauded the troops for their gallantry and charged them to sustain the tempo until all bandits, terrorists and criminal elements in the Division’s Area of Responsibility are completely annihilated.”