Troops of One Division of the Nigerian Army have, in collaboration with sister agencies, killed no fewer than 10 bandits and suspected terrorists in various joint operations tagged “Operation Restore Peace II” in the North-West zone of the country.

During the operation, 64 suspected terrorists and bandits were arrested and handed over to the Police and the Department of State Security (DSS) for further investigations and prosecution, while 119 cattle, sheep and goats were also recovered from rustlers and bandits who have been terrorising people from the zone.

The zone comprises Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, and Kano, while the operation has extended to Niger and Kogi states in the North-Central.

According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations of the One  Division Headquarters in Kaduna, Colonel Usman Abdul, the operation was carried out by a combined team of Nigerian Army, Nigeria Air Force, Police, DSS and Customs Personnel, among others.

Colonel Abdul said: “In Kaduna State and its immediate environs, the expanded security outfit involved in the operation have made recovery of 2081 animals like cattle, sheep and goats. 27 suspects were arrested and lots of weapons were recovered from the bandits.

“In the axis of Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states over 3,027 animals which included cattle, goats and sheep were recovered. 33 suspected bandits were arrested with 11 weapons seized in the course of the operation.

“All the suspects were handed over to Zamfara DSS and the Police Command while the animals were handed over to Zamfara State government officials.

“Similarly in another joint operation,  covering Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, the troops recovered a total of 2011 animals ,4 suspects arrested and 10 bandits were killed during encounters and 8 assorted weapons recovered.

“Arrested suspects were handed over to Katsina Police Command, while animals recovered were handed over to Katsina state government officials.”

Colonel Abdul noted in a statement that since the commencement of the operation calm has been restored to the area, farming and commercial activities has commenced.

He said the Army and other security agencies in Kaduna have through various operations been able to reduce and subdue activities of bandits and insurgents, warning supporters and sympathisers of bandits to desist in their activities as the Division is poised to uproot them from the zone.