Troops of the Joint Task Force Kano have foiled an attack by bandits and prevented the rustling of livestock along the Yankamaye-Rimaye axis on the boundary between Kano and Katsina States.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, Major Babatunde Zubairu, the operation was carried out at about 5:45 pm on Wednesday following credible intelligence that armed bandits were moving rustled livestock in the area.
The statement said troops deployed at Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) reinforced by troops from a Response Area, swiftly positioned themselves at various bandit crossing points and intercepted the fleeing criminals.
“During the ensuing exchange of gunfire, troops overwhelmed the bandits, forcing them to abandon the rustled livestock and flee in total disarray towards Katsina State,” the statement read.
Following the operation, troops captured two suspected terrorists and recovered one motorcycle, 97 cattle, and 50 sheep.
The recovered cattle have been returned to their rightful owners.
Regrettably, one local vigilante, Mallam Yusuf Adamu, aged 47, from Yanchibi Village, lost his life after being caught in the crossfire.
“The Nigerian Army extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and the entire Yanchibi community over this unfortunate incident,” the statement added.
The Army said troops have continued to exploit the general area in pursuit of the fleeing bandits.
The Commander, 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Saka Jimoh, commended the troops for their “high level of alertness, professionalism and fighting spirit.”
He urged them to sustain the operational tempo until all bandits and criminal elements hibernating within the area are completely neutralised.
Jimoh also appreciated the continued support of law-abiding members of the public and encouraged them to sustain the provision of timely and credible information to security agencies, noting that such cooperation remains critical to ongoing operations against bandits and other criminals.
(The Sun)
