Troops and Special Forces of the Nigerian Army, have made further gains as they neutralised nine bandits during fierce battles in some locations in Giwa Local Government Area in Kaduna State.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday in Kaduna.
Mr Aruwan said the development was disclosed in feedback to the state government that the troops cleared a bandit camp at a river line around Rafin Sarki and neutralised five bandits in the vicinity, while many others fled.
He said in another leg of the fierce encounter, the troops and Special Forces cleared a hideout around Galadimawa forest, where four bandits were engaged and neutralised.
According to him, more than a dozen kidnapped women and children were rescued by the troops, having been abandoned by their captors.
“On clearing the camp, the combat-ready officers and men recovered five locally made firearms, five rounds of ammunition, four cartridges, a radio and charger, and one military jungle hat.
The commissioner said Governor Nasir El-Rufai praised the consistent efforts of the officers and men, and further thanked them for the feats and successful rescue of the victims.
He added that offensives in the identified enclaves continued across the state.
“The state government hereby appeals to citizens to continue to volunteer information on bandits, their hideouts as well as their informants and logistics, via the phone lines: 09034000060, 08170189999,” Mr Aruwan said.
NAN
