Few hours after the kidnapped Kankara schoolboys were released and taken to Zamfara and the subsequent trip to Katsina and president Muhammad Buhari’s meeting with them, the high command of the Nigerian military on Saturday, said that one armed bandit was killed and three other criminals arrested during a night patrol on Thursday and Friday, by its troops in Zamfara state.I
In an operation update released through Major General John Enenche, Coordinator of the Defence Media Operations, (CDMO), the high command said that one of the arrested persons, a female, was also impersonating the Nigeria police, to defraud unsuspecting citizens.
According to General Enenche, “On 17 December 2020, troops of Forward Operating Base Shinkafi, while on night patrol, came in contact with some armed bandits at Bakinruwa Riverside in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
“Accordingly, troops engaged the criminals who fled in disarray due to troops’ overwhelming superior firepower.
“During the encounter, one of the armed bandits was neutralized, while 2 of them were arrested. One AK-47 rifle and a loaded magazine were also recovered from the criminals.
“In a related development, on 18 December 2020, troops deployed at Shinkafi arrested one Zainab at Shinkafi town in Shinkafi Local Government of Zamfara State.
“The suspect was found roaming the town in police uniform. A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is from Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of the State and has been involved in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public”, he stated.
The CDMO disclosed that all arrested suspects have been handed over to appropriate prosecuting agencies for necessary action.
The Defence operations spokesman added that the troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI, which recorded the successes, would continue to sustain its aggressive fighting posture in the North West zone, in efforts to forestall banditry and other criminal activities in the zone.
