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Four Bandit Commanders, 48 Others Killed By Nigerian Army In Zamfara

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Four bandit commanders and 48 others were gunned down in a clearance operation in Zamfara State in the North-West Region, the Nigerian Army reported.

In addition, the army said they secured the release of 18 persons in captivity in the first phase of its newly launched Operation Tsare Mutane, an operation to wipe out the criminals.

The army gave the identities of the four bandits commanders as Yellow Mai-Bille, Sani Meli, Dan-Katsina and Sama’ila Bakajin Bari, while the bandits leader in the area Jummo suffered sever gunshot wounds.

In a statement released by Brig Gen Mohammed Yerima, the Director, Army Public Relations and made available to SaharaReporters, reads;

“Troops of 8 Division, Nigerian Army operating in Zamfara and adjoining states made tremendous progress in the ongoing fight against banditry and other violent crimes in the North West. The division had earlier launched Operation Tsare Mutane following the directives of the Chief of Army Staff for the division to stabilise the area in order to facilitate the return of socio-economic activities.

“The General Officer Commanding of the division, Maj Gen Usman Yusuf launched the first phase of Operation Tsare Mutane which lasted from 23 March to 2 April 2021 in Maradun LGA of Zamfara State.

“The troops successfully cleared many bandits’ camps in Jaya, Kadaya and Bayan Ruwa amongst several others. The troops successfully neutralised 48 bandits while the bandits leader in the area, Jummo, sustained gunshot wound to his leg. The troops rescued 18 kidnap victims from the bandits’ enclave. Moreover, eight AK-47 rifles and one G3 rifle, as well as one PKT and a Machine Gun were recovered from the Bandits.

“Meanwhile, in continuation with the second phase of Operation Tsare Mutane, troops sacked several other bandits’ camps around Gabiya, Bozaya and Mereri and the adjoining forests in Maru LGA of Zamfara State from 19 April to 3 May 2021. The areas which were heavily infested by bandits were successfully cleared by the highly spirited troops. Key bandits’ leaders including Yellow Mai-Bille, Sani Meli, Dan-Katsina and Sama’ila Bakajin Bari were neutralised in the process.

“Items recovered in the second phase of Operation Tsare Mutane include 4,600 rounds of ammunition, two AK-103 rifles, eight AK-47 magazines, 1,628 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, fifty four rounds of PKM as well as one motorcycle and five Techno mobile phones.”