Bandits kill two in Kaduna as natives repel invasion

Army netralises terrorists in N’East, commanders flee

Bandits have killed two persons in Igabi Council, Kaduna State, as natives push back gunmen who wanted to invade the area.

Disclosing this yesterday, the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, stated that security operatives had reported that bandits attacked Gidan Maikudi hamlet, a herders’ settlement in Kerawa ward of Igabi, in an attempt to kidnap residents.

“According to the report, local vigilantes in the community mobilised to repel the attack, and in the ensuing gunfight, beat back the bandits who withdrew with several casualties,” he said.

A resident, Maikudu Husaini, was shot dead during the skirmish. His brother, Nafiu Husaini, also gave up the ghost as he was being rushed to the hospital due to gunshot injuries.

MEANWHILE, troops of Sector 2 and Special Forces Brigade of the Nigerian Army with Air Task Force have killed dozens of terrorists in the Buk/Talala/Gorgi axis of Borno and Yobe states.

They also rescued women and children after destroying Boko Haram hideouts in Sambisa Forest.

Confirming the military’s rescue mission yesterday in Maiduguri, Bukar Modu, a Civilian JTF assisting Army in counter-insurgency operations, disclosed that the Air Task Force provided aerial cover reconnaissance before neutralising dozens of terrorists in the forest.

According to him, the notorious Timbuktu Triangle in Borno and Yobe states has remained impenetrable in the last four years, despite the efforts of the military in several operations to end terrorism.

He said the triangle comprised Buk, Talala and Gorgi axis of the forests of Borno and Yobe.

“The Lake Chad axis has also been stormed by the Nigerian troops,” he disclosed.

The aerial and ground operations forced Boko Haram commanders, Modu Borzogo and Modu Sullum, to flee the axis.

In another development, troops of Sector 1, 21 Brigade and the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have overrun Boko Haram bases in Kidari, Argude, Takwala, Chowalta and Galdekore communities of Borno amid stiff resistance from the terrorists.

“While in desperation, the terrorists, however, resorted to suicide bomb attacks with the manipulation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs),” Modu said, noting that some soldiers were killed and other injured.

Movement by civilians along the 135km Maiduguri/Gwoza road had been restricted, to avoid collateral damage, The Guardian gathered.

On synergy between ground and air forces, he said: “Our successful operations have elicited joy among citizens in the liberated axis with optimism that the days of terrorists are numbered.”