Troops kill 2 bandits, arrest gunrunners in Kaduna

Troops of Operation Thunder Strike have killed two bandits while others escaped with gunshot wounds during a raid at a suspected bandits’ camp called Rafin Rikamba in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.

It was also gathered that a kidnapped truck driver escaped from the bandits during the raid as police personnel intercepted two suspects, Abdullahi Samaila and Adamu Samaila (brothers) from Toro, Bauchi State, along the Kaduna-Saminaka road with 150 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed in the door of their vehicle.

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The suspects confessed to supplying ammunition to three previously arrested suspects, Marcus Danladi, Danjuma Dachi and Ibrahim Haruna (arrested late February) from Plateau State for onward supply to one Usman aka Gurgu in Kaduna State.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Homes Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement, said the trio were arrested with 1,565 rounds of ammunition on February 28.

Aruwan said the arrested suspects attempted to escape, and in the process, Adamu Samaila was fatally wounded and was confirmed dead in hospital. Abdullahi Samaila was injured on his right leg.

According to him, one Suleiman Tukur and his son, Shuaibu Suleiman, were also arrested in Karahi as part of the same syndicate. They were in possession of 231 rounds of ammunition.

He said efforts to arrest other members of the gang are on, adding that Governor Nasir el-Rufai had commended troops and personnel for the successful arrests of suspects and gunrunners, as well as the engagement of bandits in clearance operations.

Meanwhile, Governor el-Rufai has extended his sympathy to the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Alhaji Zubairu Jibril Mai Gwari ll, over the attack on his vehicle by bandits on Monday.

The governor, who also received the report of bandits’ attacks on other citizens of the state, also sent condolences to the families of those killed and prayed for the repose of their souls.

In another incident, armed robbers barricaded a bridge leading to Kitansa village, Kauru LGA and shot dead one Danladi Goriye, while another, Sunday Garba, sustained gunshot wounds.