Troops of the 1 Division, Nigerian Army, and Operation Whirl Punch have neutralised six bandits and arrested three suspected informants during a special operations in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
Samuel Aruwan, Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State disclosed this in statement on Thursday.
Aruwa said the information was made available to the state government in an operational feedback by the military.
The statement said the troops acted on credible intelligence about the activities of terrorist in the general area and conducted a special fighting patrol to Galadimawa general area in Giwa LGA.
“The troops set up an initial position at Sabon Sara village, where it was discovered that insurgents had abandoned a herd of rustled cattle as they hastily escaped from the location.
“The troops recovered the cattle and handed them over to locals before continuing the advance”, the statement reads.
“The troops then sighted insurgents at the Market Square of Galadimawa. A swift exchange of fire resulted in six insurgents being neutralized by the troops.
“A further search of the market area led to the arrest by the troops of three suspected collaborators and informants believed to have been offering logistic assistance to the criminal elements.
“Two motorcycles and four mobile phones were also recovered”.
Aruwan said Governor Uba Sani commended the troops – under the leadership of the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army and Commander Operation Whirl Punch, Maj. General M.L.D. Saraso – for the breakthrough.
He added that the governor urged the security forces to pursue a thorough investigation towards dislodging more criminal networks.
He added that special operations will continue in the general area and other locations of interest.
The statement also appealed to locals in frontline communities to continue to volunteer timely intelligence to the nearest security formations.
Aruwan warned those in the habit of providing information to terrorists on the movements of security forces to desist from such unpatriotic action as they are being trailed for diligent prosecution.
