Scores of bandits have reportedly been neutralized by the military and other security forces who engaged them in a gun duel along the Gusau-Sokoto road in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
It was on record that a notorious bandits’ leader who has been on the wanted list of the military, Halilu Buzu was among the bandits neutralized in the operation.
A Villager, Babangida Usman, told newsmen that hundreds of bandits were moving along the Gusau-Sokoto road after an alleged meeting with the bandits’ kingpin, Bello Turji when they were engaged in a heavy gun battle with the soldiers and other security operatives.
Usman narrated that the gun duel which started in the evening of Thursday lasted for several hours, a situation that left hundreds of motorists travelling on that axis stranded.
Usman said an army aircraft which arrived at the scene of the incident killed several bandits, while over fifty motorcycles belonging to the bandits were recovered on the road.
According to him, there were more than one hundred dead bodies of the neutralized bandits scattered along the road.
He said, “We were on our way to Sokoto on Thursday evening when we suddenly met a long holdup on the road”.
“As we were waiting for the vehicles to move forward, we heard gunshots coming from many directions and suddenly, we saw the bandits in large numbers trying to escape”.
“Many of them were shot dead while several others have suffered serious injuries”.
“We were told by the security operatives that everybody should remain in his or her vehicle and should not move out to avoid losing our lives”
“I was one of the passengers who slept on the road that was why I can confidently tell you that I saw several dead bodies of the notorious bandits,” Na, Allah said
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa who visited the Zamfara Government House about the killing of the bandits told Governor Dauda Lawal that, a notorious bandits leader, Halilu Sububu was among the bandits that were neutralized during the operation.
General Musa also told the Governor that he was in the state to ensure that the security situation was adequately addressed.
He said, ”I want to assure your Excellency and the good people of the state that we will do our best to ensure that farming activities have returned to normal and farmers can go to their farms without fear.
“I am also happy to announce the demise of one of the notorious bandits’ leaders named Halilu.
“We will put more pressure on the insurgents until they are completely wiped out of our dear country.
“I am very sure that, with the support and cooperation from the public, we will one day win the war.”
