Troops kill three terrorists, recover 175 livestock in Katsina operations

Crime Diary

KATSINA, Nigeria (NPA) — Troops of Sector 2 Joint Task Force, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have intensified offensive operations against terrorists and criminal syndicates in parts of Katsina State, killing three suspected terrorists, recovering 175 rustled livestock and arresting six alleged drug peddlers.

The operations were carried out across Matazu, Musawa, Kankia, Dutsin-Ma and Malumfashi Local Government Areas on May 9, according to a statement issued on Saturday by Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force.

The Nigerian Army said troops of the 171 Battalion deployed at the Forward Operating Base FUDMA launched an ambush along the Matazu–Dutsin-Ma axis following intelligence reports that terrorists were fleeing from recent military offensives in Dikawa.

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During the operation, troops engaged the suspects in a gun battle, neutralising three alleged terrorists.

The military said items recovered from the scene included two AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, one motorcycle, three cutlasses and assorted charms.

In a separate clearance operation targeting terrorist hideouts in Matazu, Musawa, and Kankia LGAs, troops supported by the Katsina State Community Watch Corps raided suspected enclaves in Torcachi, Giginya and Tashar Ganji villages.

According to the statement signed by Hassan Abdullahi, Lieutenant Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, the terrorists abandoned their camps and fled due to sustained military pressure.

Troops subsequently recovered 175 rustled livestock, which the military said would be handed over to the appropriate authorities in Matazu Local Government Area.

Meanwhile, troops of the Forward Operating Base Malumfashi, in collaboration with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), conducted a raid at Kauyan Dawo in Malumfashi LGA.

The operation led to the arrest of six suspected drug dealers identified as Sani Rabiu, Umar Nasiru, Abulkubus Aminu, Abdullahi Halilu, Abubakar Rabiu and Abubakar Dahiru.

Recovered substances included 82.5 grams of suspected Cannabis Sativa, 15.7 grams of Exol-5 and 1.8 grams of D5.

The suspects and the recovered substances have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Malumfashi Area Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations against criminal elements across the North-West and urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.