Troops of Operation ”FANSAN YAMMA” have neutralised two suspected terrorists and recovered weapons, motorcycles and livestock during an intelligence-led raid on a terrorist enclave in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

This is contained in an Operational report made available to NAN on Monday.

The army said the operation was conducted in the early hours of Monday, under Operation Clean Sweep III.

The military said troops of 17 Brigade stormed the suspected terrorist hideout at Ginchawa following credible intelligence on the activities of criminal elements in the area.

According to the report, the terrorists attempted to resist the troops but were overwhelmed by superior firepower and forced to flee into the surrounding bushes.

The troops reportedly pursued the fleeing terrorists along their withdrawal routes until contact was lost.

“During exploitation of the enclave, troops recovered two PKT machine guns, one locally made gun, one AK-47 magazine, 75 rounds of 7.62mm NATO linked ammunition, three motorcycles, two mobile phones and a pair of camouflage uniforms.

“The troops also recovered cows and goats believed to have been rustled by the terrorists,” it said.

The army disclosed that two terrorists were neutralised during the operation, while several others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds as traces of blood were observed within the enclave.

It said the operation formed part of ongoing efforts by security forces to dismantle terrorist networks and deny criminal groups freedom of action across the North-West.

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command on Sunday night engaged some criminal elements suspected to be kidnappers in a gun battle in Owo town, Owo Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who confirmed this in a statement on Monday, said the gun battle ensued in the area following an attempt by a six-man kidnappers to abduct the Chairman of Ojana New Area, Pastor Taiwo Taiwo.

According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 7:05 p.m. when the command received a distress call about the activities of the criminal elements.

The PPRO said the assailants subsequently abandoned their plans, leading to the rescue of the intended victim and his family.

The statement reads, “At about 7:05 p.m. when the Police received a distress call indicating that a six-man armed kidnapping gang had stormed the residence of Pastor Taiwo Taiwo, Chairman of Ojana New Area, Owo, with the intention of abducting him.

“Acting promptly on the information, the Divisional Police Officer, B Division, Owo, mobilized and led a patrol team to the scene.

“Upon arrival, the operatives encountered the armed assailants, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

“The superior tactical response and determination of the police operatives forced the criminals to retreat into the surrounding bush, abandoning their plan.

“The intended victim and his family members were successfully rescued and unharmed and subsequently relocated to a safer location for enhanced security and protection”.

A serving Police officer has been declared missing just as over 20 people were killed and several others injured following an attack on Kawel village of Mushere Chiefdom in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday night.

Conflict journalist, Masara Kim, who confirmed the invasion of the community in a post he shared on social media on Monday morning, said the assailants, who were positively identified as Fulani militias numbering over 100, stormed the village at about 10:30pm after residents had retired for the night.

According to Kim, the attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, easily overpowered the local youths providing security for the community and went from house to house, shooting sleeping residents.

He added that many of the people who were killed were slaughtered on their beds, while some who managed to escape from their houses were either mowed down or shot at as they tried to escape into the bushes with gunshot wounds.

A member of the community, Adams Ayuba, who spoke to DAILY POST on Monday morning, said the attack came after a security alert had warned of an impending invasion, but reports to security agencies were not taken seriously.

“The Fulani militias and their sponsors highly coordinated this attack. Though I don’t stay in the village, I was informed that a few days ago, there was a security alert following sightings of many Fulani people gathering around the outskirts of the village. 

“Our people duly informed security agencies of the sighting, but instead of dispatching personnel to the village, the security operatives did nothing of such. The bandits invaded our village last night (Sunday), going from house to house and killed well over 20 people. 

“I also heard one of our youths, a police officer who attempted to fight back, has been missing. We don’t know if he was killed, kidnapped, or had managed to escape,” Ayuba said.

Another member of the community, Patience Ibrahim, wrote on social media, saying she lost four family members in the attack.

“My in-laws were killed in this very attack. Four people in the same family were killed in one house. God, this is too much. And people are supporting these evil acts for their selfish political interest! May this same evil visit you and wipe out your entire clan.” 

The Plateau State Police Command and the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, OPEP, are yet to release official statements on the attack at the time of this report.