By Dwelleth Morountodun
The military has confirmed that 58 Boko Harm terrorists were killed while 2 Nigerian soldiers paid the supreme prize
during operation Sharan Daji offensive in Dumburum and Gando villages in Zamfara State.
In a statement made available to the press on Tuesday which was signed by Major Clement Abiade, the Acting Force Information Officer in the operation Sharan Daji, said the casualty figures on the bandits’ side were 58 bandits neutralized, while one was captured alive.
He said the troops also destroyed 18 camps and rescued 75 kidnapped victims held in some of these camps, adding that the freed captives who were mostly from local communities in Zamfara State were debriefed and reunited with their families.
“Unfortunately, operation Sharan Daji, also suffered some casualties in these encounters. So far, two gallant soldiers and 2 members of the vigilante paid the supreme prize.
“A total of 8 soldiers and 6 vigilantes also sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries.” he said.
According to him, the mandate of operation Sharan Daji, troops commenced clearance operations into bandits’ enclaves in Zamfara and Katsina States on 19 January to last till June.
The operation he said is being conducted simultaneously in collaboration with all security agencies and local vigilante to achieve synergy as the current offensive is designed to identify and destroy bandits’ camps/enclaves in the area of operation.
He said: “The operation has recorded some successes, on 20 January troops came into contact with a large gang of bandits armed with sophisticated firearms and rocket propelled grenades at Dumburum and Gando forests leading to fierce gun battles which lasted several hours.
“The bandits were forced to abandon their camps due to superior firepower during these encounters.
“The items recovered from the bandits include,5 Fabricated National Rifles, 4 AK Rifles, 10 locally made rifles, 1 locally fabricated pistol and 40 motor cycles.”
Unfortunately, he added that the operation suffered some casualties with two gallant soldiers and 2 members of the vigilante paying the supreme prize.
In all, he said a total of 8 soldiers and 6 vigilantes also sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries as they were immediately evacuated to Federal Medical Centre, Gusau for treatment, while those with life threatening conditions were evacuated by air for specialist attention outside the theatre of operation.
“The families of the fallen heroes have been contacted accordingly, while the deceased members of the vigilante were laid to rest in Anka Cemetery according to Islamic rites.” he added.
The Force Commander of the operation Maj Gen SO Olabanji, he added has commiserated with the families of the fallen heroes.