Troops of Operation Sahel Sanity said it has killed 220 bandits, destroyed 197 bandits camps, arrested 147 informants and rescued 642 kidnapped victims as part of efforts to restore peace and normalcy in communities in the North-west region of the country.
The acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Benard Onyeuko, announced these on Wednesday during an end-of-the-year press conference on the activities of the troops between July 1 and December 31, 2020 at the Special Army Super Camp IV Faskari, Katsina State.
According to reports, Operation Sahel Sanity was inaugurated on July 6, 2020, by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, as one of the activities marking the 2020 Nigerian Army Day celebration in order to reinforce Operation Hadarin Daji in to tackle banditry and other criminal activities in the North-west.
Onyeuko, who was represented by the Nigeria Army Operations Media Coordinator, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, listed arms recovered from the bandits to include; 73 AK-47 rifles, one GPMG, 194 Dane guns, 5,032 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 568 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 156 live cartridges.
He added that two officers and four soldiers lost their lives in the course of the operations.
“In all the operations conducted from 1 July to 31 December 2020, a total of 220 armed bandits were neutralized during combat with the gallant troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY.
“Additionally, 73 AK 47 rifles, one GPMG and 194 Dane guns were captured from the criminals. Equally, 5,032 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 568 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammunition and 156 live cartridges were also captured by the troops.
“Furthermore, 197 bandit’s camps and hideouts including the notorious Dangote Triangle and several bandits’ logistics bases were destroyed by troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY. Also, 335 suspected bandits, 326 illegal miners, 147 bandits informants and collaborators, 14 bandits arms suppliers, 24 rustled cattle marketers and 46 bandits logistics suppliers were arrested.
“Similarly, a total of 7,761 cows, 1,867 sheep, rams and 4 camels were recovered and given back to the owners by troops within the period. It is also heartwarming to note that, a total of 642 kidnapped victims were rescued by the valiant troops, and this include the rescued 344 students of Government Science Secondary School Kankara,” he said.
