Nigerian Insecurity: Troop Nabs 22 Bandits, Informants, Recovers Rustled Cattle

In what is a success story in the ongoing fight against insurgency an Banditry in Nigeria, the Nigerian troop, on Thursday, arrested 22 bandits as well as their informants, and recovered more than 30 cows.
The troop, code-named ‘Operation Sahel Sanity, nabbed the 22 bandits and their collaborators, as well as rescued the rustled cattle in their mop up activities between August 5 and August 11, 2020.

This was disclosed on Thursday by Brigadier Generak Benard Onyeuko, the acting Director Defense Media Operations, in a press statement released to the media.
He said on August 5, 2020, troops deployed to Batsari LGA of Katsina State foiled a coordinated bandits attack on residents of Zamfarawa Kagara Village in the state. 
“The bandits invaded the village and stole several cows but while attempting to escape with them, troops arrived the vicinity and engaged the bandits, neutralized one, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. 
“All the rustled cows were successfully recovered and handed to their rightful owners,” he state.  

Similarly, the operation’s spokesperson said on August 6, 2020, troops deployed at Forward Operation Base Dangulbi arrested a suspected bandit informant, one Rabiu Salisu; the suspect, he said, was arrested following credible information on his nefarious activities with bandits operating in the area. 

“Also, troops deployed at the Forward Operations Base Bagega arrested two bandits’ collaborators named Sani Sani and Sani Abubakar who were reported to be specialists in selling of bandits’ stolen cows and other items. 
“They were arrested while butchering a cow for sale and have since confessed to collecting it from the bandits during interrogation.”  
Furthermore, he added that the troops recovered 17 cows from suspected cattle rustlers at Dogon Ruwa Village, adding that, the cows were recovered from suspected bandits who abandon them and fled as troops storm the village following information of their activities from reliable sources.
In another development, Onyeuko said troops on fighting patrol arrested a suspected bandit’s informant and logistics supplier named Saifullahi Adamu at Garin Dodo village in Katsina State following credible information about his elicit engagements with suspected bandits. 

According to him, his wife, Hauwa Abubakar alleged that the suspect forcefully married her, while her husband’s associates accused her of reporting their activities to security agencies thereby subjecting her to several abuses. Hauwa was rescued and has been handed over to the Katsina State Government while the suspect is in custody for further interogation.
“On the August 7, 2020, troops deployed at Forward Operation Base Anka, while on patrol, arrested 2 suspected bandits’ couriers named Abdulrazi and Ismaila at Malamawa village in Anka LGA of Zamfara State in connection with butchering and selling of stolen cows.’

Furthermore, troops arrested another 3 suspected bandits’ couriers members named Hassan Mallam, Kabiru Ahmadu and Surajo Muhammadu of Sabon Birni and Munhaye villages at Pasawa-Magami Road of Zamfara State. All the suspects are presently undergoing investigation, he maintained.
Onyeuko also said that on August 7, 2020 troops deployed at Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State responded to information on the activities of cattle rustlers and quickly mobilized to the area. 
“The criminals abandoned their loot on sensing approaching troops who recovered 8 cattles in the process which were immediately handed over to their rightful owners.’
Similarly, he said on the same day, troops arrested a suspected bandit named Sabiu Sani. Investigations revealed that, the suspect was previously arrested by vigilante group but escaped from custody. 
In another operation following a tip-off troops deployed to Faskari equally arrested 5 suspected bandits in a blue Hyundai car with registration number Katsina 107 BAK. The suspects are presently undergoing interrogation. 

“Furthermore, on August 8, 2020, troops arrested one suspected cattle rustler named Sallahu Rabiu at Natsinta Village with 3 rustled cows. 
“The suspect confessed to have been operating with a gang of cattle rustlers and efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of his gang”. 

In the same vein, he revealed that, troops deployed at Wagini arrested a suspected bandit name Usman Suleiman, while trying to sneak into the village from the forest in search of food. He admitted to be part of a bandit group terrorizing Batsari general area.
According to him, several other arrests were made at Mara, Bingi, Tunga Rakumi, Lebi Fulani, Yarsanta, Yar Gamji and Dumburum forest areas in Katsina and Zamfara states during which about eight suspected Bandits were arrested and unspecified numbers of cattles recovered by the troops.

While assuring the people of the North west of the Army’s commitment to their safety, he said the Chief of Army Staff has commended the troops for their gallantry, successes and resilience, urging them not to rest on their oars.