The leader of a bandit group in Zamfara state has been killed by officers attached to operation Puff Adder II, with an AK47, a military uniform, and a motorcycle recovered from him.
A statement by Mohammed Shehu, the spokesman of the state police command, said police operatives were on a routine patrol on Sunday, April 4 when they intercepted some bandits, who were reportedly on their way to attack a community. Shehu said during a gunfight, the leader of the group who has been on the radar of the police was killed, while others reportedly fled with “possible” gunshot injuries.
“The Command, in continuation of such kinetic actions against the recalcitrant bandits, has succeeded in neutralising a notorious armed bandit kingpin who specialised and has been on the radar of the Police for terrorising the innocent people of Maradun and other neighbouring LGAs of Zamfara State,” the statement reads.
“On 4th April, 2021, Operatives attached to Operation Puff Adder II of the command, while on confidence building patrol along Tsibiri village, near Sububu forest in Maradun LGA, intercepted a group of armed bandits who were believed to be on attack mission to the village.
“On sighting the Police operatives, they engaged them in a gun duel which the personnel quickly returned fire. As a result, one of the bandits was gunned down, while other bandits fled into the forest with possible gunshot wounds.
“In the course of profiling the scene, an AK-47 rifle with breech no. AK 103- 2051361627 and one magazine containing four (4) rounds of live ammunition, one operational motorcycle, and a bag containing bundle of charms, and a set of military camouflage uniform were recovered.”the statement read
Zamfara state has been one of the strongholds of the bandits. In March, 279 students from the Government Girls Science Secondary (GGSS) School in Jangebe, a community in the state, were abducted by bandits who stormed the school in the early hours of the day,.They were however released.