The newly launched Operation Tsare Mutane by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) the troops of 8 Division, Nigerian Army operating in Zamfara and adjoining states have killed 48 bandits in the first phase of the operation. A notorious bandits leader known as Jummo also sustained gunshot wound to his leg during the first phase of the operation which lasted
from March 23 to April 2, 2021 in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Moreso, the troops successfully cleared many bandits’ camps in Jaya, Kadaya and Bayan Ruwa amongst several others while the first phase of the operation lasted.
It will be recalled that Operation Tsare Mutane was launched by the
General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army Division, Maj General Usman Yusuf in accordance with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru to the Division to stabilize the area in order to facilitate the return of socio-economic activities.
According to a press release made available by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima on Sunday, May 9, 2021, the troops also rescued 18 kidnap victims from the bandits’ enclave. Items recovered from the bandits include eight AK-47 rifles and one G3 rifle. Other recovered items include one PKT and a machine gun.
Meanwhile, in continuation with the second phase of Operation Tsare Mutane, troops also sacked several camps of bandits located around Gabiya, Bozaya and Mereri and the adjoining forests in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State from April 19 to May 3, 2021.
The areas that were hitherto heavily infested by bandits have been successfully cleared by the gallant troops. Notable bandits’ leaders killed in the second phase of the operation include Yellow Mai-Bille, Sani Meli, Dan-Katsina and Sama’ila Bakajin Bari while while the main leader of the bandits, Nasanda narrowly escaped with fatal injuries.
Moreso, a certain Isan Heshi who was a close ally of a notorious bandit called Nagala, was also killed in the operation. It was stated in the press release that Isan Heshi was the second in command to Heshi before he joined Nagala after
Heshi was killed in an earlier operation.
Meanwhile, items recovered in the second phase of Operation Tsare Mutane include 4,600 rounds of ammunition, 2 AK-103 rifles, 8 AK-47 magazines, 1,628 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 54 rounds of PKM as well as 1 motorcycle and 5 Techno mobile phones.
Moreover, the Chief of Army Staff
has congratulated the General Officer Commanding (GOC) and the troops of 8 Division for the gains made so far in the anti-banditry operation. He however urged them to sustain their offensive operations until Zamfara and neighbouring states become stabilised.
The Army Chief also assured the
the GOC of his continuous support in the efforts to achieve the overall objective of keeping the North West and the entire country free of banditry, terrorism other violent criminal activities.