A soldier with Troops of the Operation Sahel Sanity based in the Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State has been killed in a gun battle with bandits in Diskuru village.
The gallant soldier was killed while trying to rescue a nursing mother.
Meanwhile, troops killed five bandits and rescued three other kidnapped women and their babies during the encounter which occurred on Thursday, October 29, 2020.
This was disclosed by the acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Bernard Onyeuko in a statement made available to journalists in Katsina on Sunday.
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The statement read in part: “On October 29, 2020, troops swiftly responded to a distress call about bandits’ activities at Diskuru village in the Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
“The incident was recorded as the marauding bandits stormed the village on several motorcycles, shooting indiscriminately with the intent to scare the locals and loot valuables.
“On arrival, the gallant troops engaged the criminals in a fierce fire fight, forcing them to withdraw in disarray. Resulting from the encounter, three bandits were neutralised by the troops as several others were believed to have escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wound. During the exploitation phase, two additional bandits’ bodies were discovered along their withdrawal route.
“Also, in the aftermath of the encounter, three women and their infants earlier kidnapped by the bandits were rescued from the criminals. Troops continue to dominate the village and the adjoining environment to deny the bandits any respite.
“Regrettably, one brave soldier paid the supreme price in an attempt to save one of the rescued nursing mothers in the heat of the encounter.”
The statement further disclosed that troops arrested two suspected bandit collaborators identified as Samaila Usman and Idi Bello at Dan Ali village on October 27, 2020.
According to the statement, the suspects are currently being interrogated after which they will be handed over to the authorities.
The statement added, “To this end, the gallant troops of Operation Sahel Sanity are commended for the successes achieved and their commitment. They are further urged not to rest on their oars until the North-West zone is rid of all criminal activities.
“Additionally, the good people of the North-West are once more assured of the troops’ commitment to safety of lives and property within the zone. They are also encouraged to avail the troops timely and credible information that will assist in the conduct of their operations.”
