TheCable

The Nigerian army says its personnel neutralised three bandits and recovered weapons in Kaduna.

The operation was carried out by troops of I Division at Chibiya forest in Kajuru LGA of Kaduna.

In a statement on Sunday, Musa Yahaya, acting deputy director of army public relations, I Division, confirmed the incident.

He said troops of the division and operation Whirl Punch while on clearance operation at Kawara and Filin Jalo villages in Igabi LGA of Kaduna, made contact with bandits at Kawara forest on November 10.

“Acting on credible intelligence, troops of the I Division Nigerian army and operation whirl punch carried out a clearance operation around the general area of Maro – Chibiya forest in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna State on November 12,” Yahaya said.

“During the operation, troops engaged the armed bandits with superior fire power, neutralising one of the bandits and forcing others to flee with gunshot wounds into the surrounding forest.”

Yahaya, said that during the operation, troops seized one AK 47 rifle, one locally fabricated AK 47 rifle, quantity four of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and one mobile phone.

“In the fire fight that ensued, troops neutralised one bandit and recovered one AK 47 rifle loaded with quantity 30 of 7.62mm (special) ammunition, one motorcycle and one techno phone while others escaped with gunshot wounds,” he said.

He added that troops of the division conducted clearance operation at Mai-Kulu-Gwanda, Rafin Gora, Funtua Badadi and Kabawa villages all in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna.

“During the operation, troops neutralised one bandit and captured one Boafeng radio and a motorcycle,” Yahaya added.

Yahaya said Valentine Okoro, the general officer commanding (GOC) I Division Nigerian army and force commander of operation Whirl Punch, commended the troops for their gallantry.

Okoro urged the troops to maintain the pace until all bandits, terrorists and criminal elements in the division’s area of responsibility are completely wiped out.