The troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army have killed four suspected bandits in the troubled Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna State.
Musa Yahaya, deputy director, army public relations of 1 Division, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
He noted that the troops, in collaboration with the air component of Operation Whirl Punch, raided the hideouts of the bandits in Birnin Gwari and Giwa LGAs of the state.
During the operation which lasted for two days, the troops were said to have destroyed the bandits’ hideouts, while many of them fled with gunshot injuries.
“In continuation with the onslaught against banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other criminal activities in the North Western part of the country, troops of 1 Division Nigerian army and air component Operation Whirl Punch dealt massive blow on criminal elements,” the statement reads.
“In an operation that lasted for about 48 hours, troops cleared Manini-Kuriga, Farin Ruwa, Kwanan Yashi, Makera, Dogon Dawa-Maidaro, road Kidanda-Yadi forest, and Sabon Birnin all in Birnin Gwari local government area and Dogon-Dawa-Kidandan in Giwa local government area of Kaduna state.
“During the encounter, troops engaged the criminals with heavy and superior firepower, capturing one AK 47 rifle with quantity 20 rounds of 7.62mm Special, six motorcycles and neutralised 4 Bandits while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
“The troops in their efforts to permanently displace the bandit and rendered the general area inhabitable for all criminals went ahead to destroy all the bandit’s enclaves, properties, and the captured motorcycles.”
Taoreed Lagbaja, general officer of 1 Division and force commander of Operation Whirl Punch, commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience.
He urged members of the public including health officials to be cautious of persons with gunshot Injuries seeking medical attention.
