Troops of “Operation Sahel Sanity” on Thursday killed 21 bandits during a botched attack on Doka village in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Bernard Onyeuko, said this in a statement on Friday in Gusau.
Mr Onyeuko, a brigadier-general, said the feat followed the receipt of credible information over the attempt by the bandits to invade the village.
He said the troops swiftly mobilised to the general area where they successfully cleared the village of the marauders to the admiration of the locals.
According to him, during the encounter, troops successfully killed 21 bandits while others escaped with gunshot wounds into the forest as evident by the trails of blood along the criminals’ escape route.
He also said the troops successfully rescued three kidnapped victims, including an eight months old baby who had been in the custody of the criminals for more than 23 days.
“During the exploitation phase of the operation, the gallant troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, one AK 47 magazine and three Motorcycles from the fleeing bandits.
“Regrettably, resulting from the encounter with the bandits, one gallant officer and two soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice while two other soldiers were wounded in action and are currently receiving medical treatment in a military medical facility; responding positively.
“The fearless troops have continued to pursue the bandits into the forest and dominating the general areas with aggressive fighting patrols to deny them any respite,” he said.
Mr Onyeuko commended communities in the area for giving credible information to troops which led to the dislodgement of the bandits.
He said the army would not rest on its oars until it rid the zone and the northwestern states of all criminal elements.
