Over 50 bandits killed by troops in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna

.Two dead as gunmen open fire on Imo monarchs

Over 50 bandits neutralized by combined ground and air assault in Birnin Gwari LGA.

In an inspiring success for the security forces, over 50 bandits have been neutralized during a combined ground and air assault in the Saulawa-Farin Ruwa axis of Birnin Gwari LGA.

According to operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government from the Command of the Joint Operations, a Nigerian Air Force helicopter gunship provided close air support to ground troops advancing from the Dogon Dawa-Damari-Saulawa axis.

Following extensive scans, bandits were spotted on five motorcycles, about 4km east of Saulawa, waiting to ambush the ground forces. They were engaged vigorously by the helicopter gunship, and were wiped out.

After this, armed bandits on about 50 motorcycles were sighted fleeing towards Farin Ruwa, and were struck effectively by the gunship. Fleeing remnants were mopped up by ground forces.

A second helicopter gunship joined the operations, and many more fleeing bandits were neutralized by precise strikes. Assessment revealed that more than 50 bandits were neutralized during the joint operation.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed his satisfaction at the operational feedback, and congratulated the ground troops and gunship crews on the rout. He urged them to sustain the momentum and bring even more bandits to their bitter end.

In another development, The Police Command has confirmed the killing of two traditional rulers at Nnenasa in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State.

Imo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Mike Abattam, said in a phone interview in Owerri that the incident occurred on Tuesday.

Abattam, however, said investigations were ongoing to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The gunmen had on Tuesday stormed a meeting venue of some traditional rulers and stakeholders at Nnenasa where they opened fire, killing the two traditional rulers instantly.

According to a source, who pleaded anonymity, the sudden incident left those who attended the meeting scampering for safety.

“The gunmen shot sporadically, hitting the traditional rulers in the process and left the scene almost immediately,” the source said.

It noted that many people at the scene sustained varying degrees of injuries in the process.

The source gave the names of the affected victims as Eze E. Duruebere of Okwudor autonomous community and Eze Sampson Osunwa of Ihebinowerre autonomous community, both in Njaba