Troops of Operation Forest Sanity have killed two bandits including its notorious leader, Isiya Danwasa, at Sabon Birni general area in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Acting Deputy Public Relations Officer, One Division Nigerian Army, Lt. Col Musa Yahaya, said following a tip-off, the troops ambushed and successfully neutralised the two bandits’ leader; recovered arms, ammunition, and other equipment.
Yahaya noted that an intelligence source earlier disclosed that a bandit leader, named Isiya Danwasa, intended to send his errand boy, Yunusa, to purchase some arms and ammunition in Kaduna town.
He said, “Subsequently, the errand boy was trailed and picked up by plain cloth soldiers and later used to lure two of the bandit’s leaders to a selected ammunition collection point. Upon their arrival, troops who had laid an ambush engaged the criminals with superior firepower and neutralised the two bandits’ leaders.
“Items recovered from the criminal elements include one motorcycle (destroyed institu), two AK 47 rifles, six AK 47 magazines, 250 rounds of 7.62 mm special, one power bank, two charm vests and the sum of N200,000
“The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Punch Major General Taoreed Lagbaja has commended the troops for their professional conduct and perfect execution of the task. He further charged the troops to go after all bandits and show them no mercy.
“Again, the GOC appealed to the general public to continue to avail the troops and other security agencies with credible and actionable information so as to bring banditry, kidnapping and other crimes to a lasting end.”
The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said Danwasa (the notorious bandit leader) was responsible for several killings, kidnappings and cattle rustling operations across the state.
The commissioner stated that Danwasa met his end during a strategic ambush operation in the Sabon Birni general area of Igabi LGA of the state.
“Governor El-Rufai praised the troops for the diligent intelligence work and precise execution which led to the demise of Danwasa and his associates.
“The governor further appealed to members of the general public to continue to volunteer information to security forces,” he added.