Four terrorists have been killed by troops in Kajuru and Giwa Local Government Areas of Kaduna state.
Samuel Aruwan, the Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, said in a statement on Sunday that the troops were conducting clearance patrols.
He said in Kajuru LGA, three bandits were killed by troops along Gonna Rogo-Eka axis while one was killed in Giwa.
Aruwan said operational feedback to the Kaduna state government, indicated that the troops encountered the criminals while conducting special clearance patrols in the areas.
He said after an exchange of fire, three of the criminals were summarily neutralised while two AK-47, four AK-47 magazines and 81 rounds of 7.62mm ammunitions were recovered from them.
The statement said in Giwa LGA, a bandit confirmed to be an associate of the notorious Buharin Yadi who was neutralised last week, was eliminated by troops of Sector 6, Operation Whirl Punch, during the patrol.
“Troops of Sector 6, Operation Whirl Punch, have neutralized a bandit confirmed to be an associate of recently eliminated Buharin Yadi, during a special fighting patrol in Giwa LGA.
“According to the feedback to the Kaduna State Government, the troops were pulled to Sabon Layi from various locations in Giwa LGA for commencement of the special patrol.
“The troops then projected their force from there to Kidandan. On approaching the village, a bandit was sighted fleeing on a motorcycle.
“The troops gave a chase, and the terrorist was duly neutralised in the engagement which followed around the outskirts of the community.
“Verification of his identity revealed the bandit to be one Daushe, an associate of the recently neutralised kingpin Buharin Yadi”, Aruwan said.
He added that Governor Uba Sani expressed gratitude to the troops for their relentless hard work, and congratulated the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. M.L.D. Saraso, for the latest breakthrough.
The governor encouraged the troops to keep up the tempo towards the complete degradation of terrorist elements.