Troops of Sector 4 Operation Whirl Punch and 198 Special Forces Battalion have killed six terrorists during clearance operations in Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna State.
The special operations were conducted in response to precise actionable intelligence on terrorist activities in the area.
The state’s Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement on Friday said the mission commenced with successful clearance of hot spots by troops at Maidaro, Ngade Alha, Dogon Dawa, Damari, Saulawa, Farin Ruwa, Maganda, Sabon Layi and Kampanin Doka villages.
“On arriving at Saulawa, contact was made with the bandits, and two of the criminals were swiftly neutralised by the troops during the engagement. One motorcycle and a Baofeng Radio set were recovered.
“The troops made further contact with bandits at Farin Ruwa, where four enemy fighters were neutralised in the ensuing firefight,” Aruwan said in the statement.
He further disclosed that after clearing the area, the troops also recovered one GPMG, two AK47 rifles, six AK47 magazines, one FN rifle magazine, 22 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 51 rounds of 7.62 special ammunition and one motorcycle.
Kaduna State governor, Sen. Uba Sani hailed the troops led by the Force Commander, Operation Whirl Punch and General Officer Commanding, One Division Nigerian Army, Major General MLD Saraso for another remarkable outing and notable breakthrough in the push against banditry in the flashpoint locations.
The statement also urged citizens to offer useful information to the government through “Kaduna State’s Security Operations Room via the phone lines 09034000060 and 08170189999.”