Troops neutralise 23 bandits fleeing Kano

Twenty-three bandits fleeing Kano State followingcoordinated attacks on Shanono and Tsanyawa Local Government Areas have beenneutralised by troops of the Joint Task Force, supported by the Air Componentof Operation Fansan Yamma. The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade,Nigerian Army, Major Zubairu Babatunde, said in a statement on Sunday that thebandits launched the attacks on Thursday night, extending into the early hoursof Friday. He explained that ground troops were able to contain theattacks and inflict heavy casualties on the assailants before tracking thefleeing bandits to Karaduwa village in Matazu Local Government Area ofneighbouring Katsina State. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, intelligencereports indicated that the bandits had gathered at Dan Marke in Matazu LGA tobury some of their members killed during the encounter with troops. It stated that the Air Component Sector 2 of OperationFansan Yamma located the bandits and trailed their movement until theirmotorcycles converged after crossing a dry riverbed, adding that an air strikewas conducted, leading to the killing of at least 23 terrorists, while severalothers were believed to have sustained varying degrees of injury. Babatunde explained that the operation, which was supportedby aerial Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions, also saw thedestruction of several weapons and items of equipment belonging to the bandits. He said the Commander, 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, commendedthe air component and ground troops for their bravery and resilience during theoperation. According to Babatunde, “The security situation in KanoState remained calm, with troops sustaining robust patrols and monitoringacross the affected areas. The troop morale and fighting efficiency were verysatisfactory.” He added that the Nigerian Army appreciated the support ofmembers of the public in the fight against banditry and terrorism and urgedcitizens to continue providing timely information to security agencies,assuring that the military, in collaboration with other security agencies,remains committed to protecting lives and property and will continue to takenecessary measures to ensure national security. Babatunde further explained that the attack was a reprisalmission following the loss of some of the bandits’ fighters to superiormilitary firepower during an earlier encounter last week.

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