Kaduna: Soldiers kill nine bandits, rescue kidnap victims

Soldiers attached to the Special Forces of the Nigerian Army, in a renewed offensive, killed nine bandits in their hideouts in the Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, the troops killed five bandits at Rafin Sarkin and four around Galadimawa forest, all in Giwa LGA.

Aruwan, in a statement released to journalists on Thursday in the state capital, was, however, silent on the day the operations took place.

This was as he said that dozen of kidnapped women and children were rescued during operations while five locally made firearms, five rounds of ammunition, four cartridges, a radio and charger, and one military issue jungle hat, were recovered by the troops.

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The Commissioner said, “Troops and Special Forces of the Nigerian Army made further gains in ongoing offensives as they neutralised a total of nine bandits during fierce battles in some locations in Giwa LGA.

“It was disclosed in feedback to the Kaduna State Government that the troops cleared a bandit camp at a river line around Rafin Sarki and neutralised five bandits in the vicinity, while many others fled.

“In another leg of the fierce encounter, the troops and Special Forces cleared a hideout around Galadimawa forest, where four bandits were engaged and neutralised. More than a dozen kidnapped women and children were rescued by the troops, having been abandoned by their captors.

“On clearing the camp, the combat-ready officers and men recovered five locally made firearms, five rounds of ammunition, four cartridges, a radio and charger, and one military issue jungle hat.

“Governor Nasir El-Rufai praised the consistent efforts of the officers and men, and further thanked them for the feats and successful rescue of the victims.

“Offensives in the identified enclaves continue across the state.

“The Kaduna State Government hereby appeals to citizens to continue to volunteer information on bandits, their hideouts as well as their informants and logisticians, via these phone lines: 09034000060; 08170189999.”