Scores of suspected bandits have reportedly been killed as troops of the Nigerian Army launched a major clearance operation against armed groups in Maikujera, Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The operation, which was ongoing as of Friday, reportedly involved the deployment of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and other military assets as troops moved to dislodge the bandits from the area.
Local sources familiar with the operation told our correspondent that the troops had gained the upper hand, forcing several of the suspected bandits to flee into nearby forests and farms.
One of the sources said the bandits attempted to use rustled cattle as human shields during the confrontation, resulting in the loss of a large number of livestock.
“The military has fully mobilised for this operation, and the troops are pursuing the bandits who are trying to escape through the surrounding bushes,” a resident of Maikujera told our correspondent in a telephone interview.
The source added that some of the fleeing bandits reportedly abandoned their weapons while attempting to evade the advancing troops.
“Some of them abandoned their rifles and ran into nearby farms, using the thick vegetation as cover. Others were repeatedly seen trying to ascend a nearby hill as they came under pressure from the soldiers,” he said.
Investigations by our correspondent indicated that the suspected bandits were allegedly linked to notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji and had been moving rustled cattle from Gandi and other neighbouring communities in Rabah LGA towards hideouts in Sabon Birni and Isa LGAs through the expansive Gundumi Forest.
Sources said some of the cattle dispersed into the surrounding forests after the bandits came under military attack, while efforts were ongoing to recover the animals.
Confirming the military operation, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division, Lt Col Olaniyi Osoba, said the operation was “hugely successful” but declined to provide further details immediately.
According to him, the Army would release more information on the operation in due course.
Residents of Maikujera and neighbouring communities have expressed relief over the military intervention, urging the security forces to sustain the offensive and prevent the fleeing bandits from regrouping.
The mop-up operation was still ongoing in the surrounding bushes and areas linking Rabah, Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas as of the time of filing this report.
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