Troops rescue teenage girls, recover AK-47 rifle in Katsina

Troops of “Operation SAHEL SANITY” has rescued 2 teenage girls at Munhaye village in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The troops also killed one bandit and recovered one AK-47 rifle loaded with 27 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.

Confirming the report, Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, said the troops had intensified the tempo of offensive operation within the theatre, thus, recording more successes against the bandits.

He said on 12 November 2020, troops while on routine patrol along the fringes of Dajin Wuta Forest came in contact with bandits on motorcycles.

The Acting Director Defence, Media Operations, further stated that in their attempt to escape from the advancing troops, the terrified bandits ineffectively opened fire and withdrew into the forest but the resilient troops gave them a hot pursuit with overwhelming firepower.

“In the aftermath of the encounter, one bandit was neutralized and one AK-47 rifle loaded with 27 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition was captured while several others are believed to have escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds as evident in the trails of blood along their escape routes during exploitation.

“Troops continue to dominate the general area in search of any straying bandit,” he said.

Onyeuko said on 11 November 2020, troops deployed in Angwan Doka, during a clearance operation rescued 2 teenage girls at Munhaye village.

He said preliminary investigation revealed that the duo were kidnapped by suspected bandits at Dan Aji village in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Onyeuko said the victims also revealed that their abductors freed them and fled on noticing troops’ presence in the area.

He commended troops of “Operation SAHEL SANITY” for the successes achieved and their commitment.

Onyeuko urged them not to rest on their oars until the Northwest zone was rid of all criminal activities.

He also assured the good people of the Northwest of the troops’ commitment to safety of life and property within the zone and encouraged to avail the troops with timely and credible Information that would assist in the conduct of their operations.