Troops of Operation Whirl Punch have killed six bandits terrorising the Birnin-Gwari general areas in the Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The state Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this on Friday in Kaduna.

He said the troops successfully cleared Maidaro, Ngade Alha, Dogon Dawa, Damari, Saulawa, Farin Ruwa, Maganda, Sabon Layi, and Kampanin Doka villages, all in the troubled Birnin-Gwari general areas.

He, however, said four of the bandits were killed in Saulawa, and two others were neutralized at Farin Ruwa.

The Commissioner said the items recovered from the clearance operation embarked by the troops are One GPMG, Two AK47 rifles, Six AK47 magazines, One FN rifle magazine, Twenty-two rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, Fifty-one rounds of 7.62 special ammunition, and one motorcycle.

Aruwan said, “In another victory for the security forces against bandits and terrorists in Kaduna State, troops neutralized a total of six terrorist elements during a strong round of clearance operations in Birnin Gwari LGA.

“According to operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government, the troops of Sector 4 Operation Whirl Punch and 198 Special Forces Battalion conducted the special operations in Birnin Gwari LGA, in response to precise intelligence on terrorist activities in the area.

“The troops began their mission by successfully clearing hot spots at Maidaro, Ngade Alha, Dogon Dawa, Damari, Saulawa, Farin Ruwa, Maganda, Sabon Layi, and Kampanin Doka villages.

“On arriving at Saulawa, contact was made with the bandits, and two of the criminals were swiftly neutralized by the troops during the engagement. One motorcycle and a Baofeng Radio Set were recovered.”

He added, “The troops made further contact with bandits at Farin Ruwa, where four enemy fighters were neutralized in the ensuing firefight.

“The troops cleared the area and recovered the following items: – One GPMG, Two AK47 rifles, Six AK47 magazines, One FN rifle magazine Twenty-two rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, Fifty-one rounds of 7.62 special ammunition, One motorcycle.”

The Commissioner said the state governor, Uba Sani, congratulated the troops – led by Force Commander, Operation Whirl Punch and General Officer Commanding, One Division Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. MLD Saraso – for another remarkable outing and notable breakthrough in the push against banditry in the flashpoint location.

According to the commissioner, the governor lauded the victory as another testament to the power of efficient collaboration and coordination embraced by the forces and supported by the government.

“He urged the troops to remain unrelenting in their advance towards the heart of the bandits enclaves.

“Citizens are encouraged to render useful information to the government through Kaduna State’s Security Operations Room via the phone lines 09034000060 and 08170189999,” he added.