Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Kano have foiled a bandits’ attack and recovered 97 cattle and 50 sheep during an operation along the Kano-Katsina border.
The Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Major Babatunde Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Kano.
He said the operation was carried out by troops deployed at Forward Operating Bases and reinforced by personnel from a Response Area following credible intelligence on the movement of armed bandits with rustled livestock in the Yankamaye and Rimaye axis.
According to the statement, the troops received intelligence at about 5:45 p.m. on July 15 that the bandits were moving stolen livestock through the area.
Major Zubairu explained that troops swiftly deployed to strategic crossing points frequently used by the criminals and intercepted them.
He said the troops engaged the bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to abandon the rustled animals and flee towards neighbouring Katsina State.
During the operation, security personnel arrested two suspected terrorists and recovered one motorcycle, 97 cattle and 50 sheep.
The army spokesman said the recovered cattle had been returned to their rightful owners, while efforts were ongoing to identify the owners of the sheep.
However, one local vigilante, Mallam Yusuf Adamu, 47, of Yanchibi Village, was reportedly killed after being caught in the crossfire.
The Nigerian Army extended its condolences to the family of the deceased and the Yanchibi community over the unfortunate incident.
Major Zubairu added that troops had continued to comb the area in pursuit of the fleeing bandits to prevent criminal elements from operating along border communities.
Commending the troops, Commander of the 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Saka Jimoh, praised their vigilance, professionalism and courage, urging them to sustain the offensive against bandits and other criminal elements.
He also appreciated residents for their continued support and called on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains crucial in the fight against banditry and other crimes in the region.
Rel/Abdullahi Jalaluddeen
