Troops of the Nigerian Army Operation Whirl Punch have killed armed bandits in a location several kilometers off Kaduna-Abuja Road.
A statement by Kaduna state commissioner for internal security Samuel Aruwan on Thursday said the troops, acting on credible intelligence, carried out aggressive fighting patrols to the Abasiya-Amale area located east of Polewire in Kachia LGA, where they engaged the bandits.
“In the fierce battle, the troops overpowered the bandits and subsequently destroyed their hideouts. Troops are still combing the general area at the time of this update, while the corpses of two neutralized bandits have been recovered,” he said.
The soldiers recovered an AK-47 rifle, two magazines carrying 38 rounds of ammunition and one cell phone.
He said there were strong indications that some bandits escaped with life threatening injuries and might be seeking medical assistance in the general area.
Mr Aruwan said, “To this end, locals are warned to refrain from rendering any assistance to questionable elements, and should instead report such matters to the security agencies.”
Also, the troops of Operation Forest Sanity responded to reports of an attack around Dende-Buruku Junction along the Damba-Dende-Buruku Road, Chikun LGA.
The troops mobilized to the location and made contact with bandits at Rafin Kaura. The bandits fled from the advancing troops, who then rescued two victims who had been kidnapped in transit, he said.
The eescued victims were identified as Amina Kasim and Yunusa Usman.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who received the operational feedback with gratitude, commended the officers and men of the Armed Forces and other agencies under the leadership of GOC One Division, Major General TA Lagbaja, presently pursuing the onslaught against bandits and terrorists elements.