Troops of Operation Whirl Punch have killed five bandits in the Dantarau general area of the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Punch newspaper online reports that the troops took a fighting patrol to the Kachia-Kajuru general area when they encountered the bloodthirsty bandits.
The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
He also said scores of bandits that engaged the troops in a gun duel sustained fatal injuries while warning locals against providing medical support to questionable individuals without recourse to the nearest security agencies.
He said two AK-47 rifles, one locally fabricated sub-machine gun, nine AK-47 magazines, 250 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two motorcycles, and two handheld radio sets were recovered by the troops.
The commissioner also revealed that the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch successfully hit bandits camps in the Sabon Birnin Daji general area of the Igabi Local Government Area of the state.
He said, “According to the report, the troops embarked on operations to clear the Maro-Enugu axis spanning Kachia and Kajuru LGAs.
“At the Dantarau community, the troops made contact with bandits, and after a sharp exchange, five of the criminals were neutralised
.
“The troops also recovered two AK-47 rifles, one locally fabricated sub-machine gun, nine AK-47 magazines, 250 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two motorcycles, and two handheld radio sets.
“Similarly, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch successfully hit bandits camps in the Sabon Birnin Daji general area of Igabi LGA.
“Credible human intelligence sources confirmed the successful operation, resulting in several bandits being taken out during the mission. Some of the bandits sustained injuries and are reported to be lurking around the general area in need of medical support.
“Locals in the general area are warned to desist from providing medical support to questionable individuals without recourse to the nearest security agencies.”
Meanwhile, the commissioner quoted the state governor, Uba Sani, as having praised the gallantry of the troops under the command of the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. MLD Saraso, on receiving the reports.
He said the governor further extended commendation to the “Air Officer Commanding, Air Training Command, Air Vice Marshall, NN Ananaba, and his team for their outstanding contribution to the security of the state.