Sokoto and Katsina, troops rescue kidnapped captives and recover arms

The Nigerian Army reported on Friday that troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have killed additional bandits, freed hostages, recovered property, and demolished bandit hideouts in certain States in the North-West.

Armed bandits attempted to infiltrate and attack the Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State on August 3, 2023, according to a post on its verified Twitter account. The post added that alert troops stationed at Forward Operating Base, Isa, repelled the attack with superior firepower.

It went on to claim that the bandits were forced to run with gunshot wounds due to the quick attack because blood streaks were discovered along their escape routes throughout the pursuit.

“In a same vein, soldiers from Team 8 of Sector 3 of Operation Hadarin Daji stationed in Sabon Birni in Sokoto State conducted clearance operations, found, and destroyed bandit hideouts at Kusabunni Forest, Tafkin Gawo, Alumdawa, Ungwar Mailele, and Malamawa villages in Sokoto State.

But before the troops arrived, the report noted, “bandits fled and abandoned their hideouts.”

Three motorcycles, three AK-47 magazines, and ammo were among the items found in the bandits’ hideouts, it continued, highlighting the fact that there were also numerous pairs of both military and foreign camouflage clothes, a police uniform, and a radio.

The Army further claimed that at Kore town in Katsina State’s Batagarawa LGA, Sector 2 troops conducted an offensive operation along several kidnappers’ escape routes.

According to the report, the bandits fled after spotting the military, leaving the victims they had abducted and the animals they had rustled behind.

It stated that soldiers from Operation Hadarin Daji in Katsina State saved four people who had been kidnapped by armed bandits from their field along Ungwan Madugu of Dandume Local Government Area.