Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, OPHD, have killed one suspected terrorist while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
The incident happened in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria.
Military sources said the feat was achieved on July 28, when the troops were carrying out sustained clearance operations on terrorists’ camps and thoroughfares at Sangeko, Kabugu Lamba, Kaboro, and Mairairai Villages in Maru LGA of the state.
During the process, troops came into contact with suspected terrorists at a notorious terrorists’ leader’s hideout, Alhaji Ilu, at Sangeko, Kabagon Lamba, Danmani, and Kaboro in Maru LGA, where the troops engaged the terrorists in a gun battle, in which the troops superior firepower forced them to flee.
The troops neutralized one terrorist, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
The troops continue to maintain aggressive patrols within the villages, to eliminate the other terrorists and deny them freedom of action in the area.
This renewed aggressive onslaught on bandit enclaves is an ongoing clearance operation by OPHD in the Northwest Area of its operations, which include Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, and Zamfara States.
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Consequently, on July 28, acting on credible information about a terrorist kingpin named Jabi Ruwa, and some of his members, taking refuge in Dambala Village, the troops of Forward Operating Base, FOB, Gwadabawa, and troops of Raka in Sokoto State, in conjunction with local guides, immediately mobilized to Dambala Village, where Jabi Ruwa and four other of his members were apprehended.
A source also from the military said all the arrested persons are currently undergoing preliminary investigation.
The Commander of the Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji, Major General Godwin Mutkut, who also doubles as the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, has commended the troops and charged them to maintain the momentum.
He further called on the people of the region to be vigilant and report immediately, any suspected persons or activities of the criminals.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)