Troops kill 128 bandits, arrest 64 others in 2 weeks – DHQ
By Matthew Eloyi
The Defence Headquarters has revealed that Nigerian troops killed more than 128 bandits and arrested 64 others in different operations across North West and North Central zones in the past two weeks.
Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, stated this while giving updates of military operations between Nov. 11 and Nov. 25 on Thursday in Abuja.
Onyeuko said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji eliminated 118, arrested 12 criminal elements, and rescued five kidnapped victims across the theatre within the period.
He added that 26 assorted arms and 194 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered within the period in focus.
According to him, troops executed a series of land and air operations at Runka and Nasarawa villages in Safana Local Government Area and Kaiga Mallammai village, all in Katsina State.
He said that three men – Alhaji Lawal Auwalu, Ibrahim Tayo, and Dahiru Abubakar – suspected to be providers of logistics to bandits were arrested.
In North Central, Onyeuko said that the troops of Operation Safe Haven rescued some kidnapped civilians and arrested criminal elements.
He said one of the arrested elements was John Paul, who deals in weapons and owns a mini factory where he fabricated arms and ammunition.
The defence spokesman added that troops rescued 38 kidnapped victims, arrested 45 criminal elements, and eliminated three during the period.
Onyeuko said the kinetic effort led to the killing of seven bandits, arrest of seven, and rescue of five kidnapped victims during the period.
