The Kaduna State Government has confirmed that the troops of Operation Whirl Punch have neutralized four bandits, including one notorious bandit leader, during fighting patrols in Giwa LGA.
The incident occurred during the weekend but was confirmed on Monday in a statement by Samuel Aruwan, Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs.
According to the statement, the confirmation followed operational feedback received from security forces.
The statement noted that acting on credible intelligence, the troops sighted fleeing bandits and engaged them in hot pursuit.
“The troops neutralized two of the bandits,” the statement said
According to the statement, the troops recovered a range of items including a motorcycle, a mobile phone, gas lighters, tobacco, assorted charms, and a polythene bag containing petrol.
“Another leg of the operation was conducted at Basurfe village, Southwest of Kindandan. The troops fought through an ambush and forced the bandits to flee on motorcycles.
“A vigorous pursuit resulted in two more bandits neutralized. The troops further exploited the area and dislodged a camp serving as a treatment area for the insurgents.”
The statement added that two AK-47 rifles, one pump action rifle, three magazines, 16 rounds of ammunition, one Improvised Explosive Device (IED), two radios and one motorcycle, as well as cigarettes, drugs and medical accessories, were some of the items recovered
“The reports revealed that one of the bandits neutralized in the operations was a notorious bandit leader Dogo Bangaje, who was eliminated alongside a close associate yet to be identified.
“The Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, praised the troops under the leadership of GOC 1 Division and Commander Operation Whirl Punch, Major General MLD Saraso, for their efforts and congratulated them on the remarkable breakthrough,” the statement said.
The governor urged the security forces to sustain the momentum towards flushing out criminal elements from the area, just as he advised the residents to report suspicious persons seeking medical attention in the general area to the Kaduna State Security Operations Room.