The Nigerian Army is recording success in its operation to battle cattle rustlers especially in the North West of the country.
A statement from the army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman, on Sunday, June 19 reports that Nigerian troops have busted a kidnapping and cattle rustlers’ den in Ningi Local Government Area in Bauchi State.
“Following received information from well meaning members of the public, troops of Forward Operation Base (FOB), Ningi of 33 Artillery Brigade conducted a fighting patrol at Dutsen Dumburum on Saturday 18th June 2016,” Colonel Usman says in the statement delivered to The Trent by email.
“Earlier intelligence reports confirmed the presence of kidnappers and cattle rustlers in the locality which made the troops to swing into action by organizing a fighting patrol to the area.
“During the patrol, the team encountered the armed cattle rustlers and after fierce exchange of gunfire, they were overpowered,” the statement said.
Three suspected bandits were killed in the military operation and three female captives of the gang were rescued. The Nigerian army also recovered a stash of arms and ammunition, some of them include small machine guns and 4 AK-47 rifles.
“The troops killed 3 of the armed bandits and rescued 3 kidnapped females held hostages by the bandits pending payment of ransom. The patrol team also recovered many items including arms and ammunitions before destroying the camp,” Colonel Sani revealed.
“The recovered items include 2 AK-47 rifles, 2 locally made small machine guns (SMGs), 1 double-barrelled dane gun, 68 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunitions and 4 AK-47 rifle magazines. Others include two Boxer motorcycles and two mobile telephone handsets.”
