No fewer than six bandits terrorizing the Birnin Gwari general areas in Kaduna’s Birnin Gwari Local Government Area have been killed by soldiers of Operation Whirl Punch.
Samuel Aruwan, the state commissioner of internal security and home affairs, stated this on Friday in Kaduna.
He stated that the soldiers effectively evacuated Maidaro, Ngade Alha, Dogon Dawa, Damari, Saulawa, Farin Ruwa, Maganda, Sabon Layi, and Kampanin Doka villages, all located in the dangerous Birnin-Gwari general area.
He did, however, say that four of the bandits were slain in Saulawa and two more were neutralized in Farin Ruwa.
The Commissioner stated that the arms recovered from the soldiers’ clearance operation include one GPMG, two AK47 rifles, six AK47 magazines, one FN rifle magazine, twenty-two rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, fifty-one rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and one motorcycle.
Aruwan said, “In another victory for the security forces against bandits and terrorists in Kaduna State, troops neutralized a total of six terrorist elements during a strong round of clearance operations in Birnin Gwari LGA.
“According to operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government, the troops of Sector 4 Operation Whirl Punch and 198 Special Forces Battalion conducted the special operations in Birnin Gwari LGA in response to precise intelligence on terrorist activities in the area.
“The troops began their mission by successfully clearing hot spots at Maidaro, Ngade Alha, Dogon Dawa, Damari, Saulawa, Farin Ruwa, Maganda, Sabon Layi, and Kampanin Doka villages.
“On arriving at Saulawa, contact was made with the bandits, and two of the criminals were swiftly neutralized by the troops during the engagement. One motorcycle and a Baofeng radio set were recovered.”
He added, “The troops made further contact with bandits at Farin Ruwa, where four enemy fighters were neutralized in the ensuing firefight.
“The troops cleared the area and recovered the following items: one GPMG, two AK47 rifles, six AK47 magazines, and one FN rifle magazine. Twenty-two rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, fifty-one rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and one motorcycle.”
According to the Commissioner, the state governor, Uba Sani, congratulated the soldiers, led by Force Commander, Operation Whirl Punch, and General Officer Commanding, One Division Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. MLD Saraso, on another outstanding performance and significant breakthrough in the fight against banditry in the flashpoint location.
According to the commissioner, the governor praised the win as yet another example of the soldiers and the government’s ability to collaborate and coordinate effectively.
“He urged the troops to remain unrelenting in their advance towards the heart of the bandit enclaves.
“Citizens are encouraged to render useful information to the government through Kaduna State’s Security Operations Room via the phone lines 09034000060 and 08170189999,” he added.
