Troops of the newly launched Operation Hakorin Damisa have deployed to address insecurity in Mangu and other parts of Plateau, in collaboration with Operation Safe Haven, and have neutralised bandits who attempted to attack Mangun and Patlong villages, in the Mangu Council Area of Plateau State.
Scores of the bandits were said to have been killed during the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, with 10 of them arrested, while others escaped with gunshot wounds after the troops decisively responded to an ambush by the bandits.
In a statement signed by the Media Officer of the Special Taskforce, James Oya, said both troops of Operation Hakorin Damisa and Safe Haven, whilst on operation on July 26, along the Rugan/Basiru Village of Barkin-Ladi Council Area of the Plateau, came under fire from suspected bandits, and professionally responded, forcing the bandits to retreat, with many of them killed.
Two AK 47 rifles, 15 rounds of 7.62 mm Special, three locally fabricated guns, and a pair of military desert camouflage uniforms were recovered, with ten suspects captured, who are currently undergoing profiling.
Oya also disclosed that the troops on July 25, along with Janneret/Washina, Changal, and Gyambwas, all in Mangu LGA, responded to firing from suspected bandits who fled on sighting them, but the troops in the process recovered three motorcycles and one locally fabricated gun, and rescued five kidnap victims, as well as recovered a Toyota Camry and Sharon cars.
The troops also appealed to all law-abiding citizens to continue giving credible and timely information, to assist in prompt responses to security situations as they emerge.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)