Troops Sustain Onslaught On Bandits, Arrest Kingpin, Kill Scores in Sokoto, Zamfara States

By Zagazola Makama

Determined to rid the Northwest region of banditry, kidnapping and other heinous crimes, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) have renewed their aggressive onslaught on bandits' enclaves across their areas of operation in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara States.

Acting on credible information that a bandit kingpin named Jabi Ruwa and some of his members were taking refuge in Dambala village, troops of Forward Operating Base (FOB), Gwadabawa and those of Raka in Sokoto State, assisted by local guides, mobilized on Friday, 28 July, 2023 and subsequently stormed the hideout in Dambala where Jabi Ruwa and 4 of his members were apprehended. They are currently undergoing preliminary interrogations.

In separate development, on 28 July 2023, troops of OPHD cleared bandits enclaves and thoroughfare routes at Sangeko, Kabugu Lamba, Kaboro and Mairairai villages at Maru Local Government of Zamfara state. During the operation, troops came in contact with armed bandits loyal to notorious bandit leader, Alhaji Ilu, at his hideouts in Sangeko, Kabagon Lamba, Danmani and Kaboro villages under Maru LGA. The Troops engaged the armed bandits with superior fire power which forced the bandits to flee; one of them was neutralized while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Zagazola Makama, a Counter-Insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, learnt that the troops are currently on aggressive patrol within the villages in other to eliminate other bandits and deny them freedom of action within the area.

The Commander Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji, Major General Godwin Mutkut, who also doubles as the General officer Commanding 8 Division has commended the troops and charged them to maintain the momentum. He further called on the people of the region to be vigilant and immediately report any suspected persons or activities of the criminals.