No fewer than 17 armed bandits were last Thursday, in Kaduna state, neutralized by troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
An operation update released on Monday, by the military High Command, through Major General John Enenche, Coordinator of the Defence Media Operations, (CDMO), disclosed that some of the armed bandits also escaped with diverse degrees of gunshot wounds.
General Enenche also disclosed that during the course of the operation, a church building and some houses of civilians, were damaged.
However, he said that there were arrangements ongoing by the military High Command to have owners of the identified property fully compensated.
The CDMO, in the update, said that, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria, on 7 May 2020, conducted a joint clearance operation, involving troops of Operations THUNDER STRIKE and WHIRL PUNCH with air support from the Air Component of Operation GAMA AIKI, at suspected bandits’ hideouts around Mashigi Galbi, Damba Community and Kabarasha Villages all in Gwagwada District of Chikun Local Government Area in Kaduna State.
“During the operation Seventeen armed bandits were neutralized, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.”
“However, in the course of pursuing the bandits, 3 empty houses and a Church building were partially damaged at Kabarasha Village.
There was no civilian casualty.”
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria regrets this unfortunate incident and a panel has been set up to investigate the occurrence in liaison with the Kaduna State Government.”
“The buildings have been identified with a view to providing adequate compensation to the owners.”
“Meanwhile, calm has been restored to the area. Few people, who initially fled the area due to fear of bandits’ reprisal attack, have all returned to the Community”, General Enenche stated.
The High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria also reassured the public that it will continue to work assiduously to restore peace and security to the North West.
It equally thanked the public for their support and cooperation, while encouraging them to continue to provide credible information that would facilitate the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
