From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
Troops of 1 Division, Nigerian Army and Operation WhirlPunch said they have neutralised six of the deadly bandits terrorising Kaduna State from Birnin Gwari forest which shares boundaries with Katsina, Zamfara and Niger States.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya in a statement on Thursday night said the success was recorded based on credible intelligence available to the soldiers.
His words: “Bandits and terrorists operating in the forest of Birnin Gwari on 16 November 2023 suffered heavy casualty in the hands of troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army and operation Whirl Punch.
“Acting on credible intelligence, the highly motivated troops carried out an offensive clearance operation to bandits strongholds in Sabon-Birni, Dogon Dawa, Saulawa, Maidaro-Ngede Allah, and Kidenda all in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State and made contact with bandits.
“In the fire fight that ensued when contact was made, troops neutralised six bandits, recovered two AK 47 rifles, four AK 47 rifle magazines, 14 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 40 pairs of bandits uniforms and 9 Motorcycles,” he said.
He quoted the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander Operation Whirl Punch, Major General Valentine Okoro as applauding the troops for their gallantry and charged them not to relent until all terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements in the Division’s Area of responsibility are completely neutralised.