The troops of the Nigerian Army have killed 18 cattle rustlers with several others injured in an operation in Zamfara State.


The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman said in a statement on Thursday that the troops of the troops of 223 Battalion, 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army who were on patrol carried out the attack when they were alerted to the presence of the bandits in the area.

He said that the troops averted what would have been an attack on Dansadau community by the cattle rustlers.

He said that the troops laid ambush for the bandits who stormed the area in large numbers on motorcycles on their way to wreak havoc at Ruwan Tofa and Babba Doka villages of Dansadau District of Mari Local Government Area.

“The patrol team laid an ambush for the suspected cattle rustlers  and armed bandits who came in large numbers on motorcycles fully armed.

“It was gathered that they were enroute Ruwan Tofa and Babban Doka Villages in Dansadau District of Maru Local Government Area, Zamfara State to wreck havoc on the hapless  innocents of those communities,” he said

According to him, the troops recovered 11  AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifles, one locally made pistol, 11 magazines of AK-47 rifle, a magazine of G3  rifle and 161 rounds  of  7.62mm (Special)  ammunition in addition to destroying the bandits’ camp at Babban Doka general area.

Usman said that the troops were combing the area for some of the bandits who escaped the attack with gunshot wounds.

He called on the citizenry to volunteer information to the military on the activities of cattle rustlers, armed bandits, and other criminal elements in the area.

Source- Punch Reports