*Discover 11 brand new locally made rifles and 150 live cartridges

*Repentant bandits surrender arms

The Nigerian Army Operation Sahel Sanity has destroyed illegal mining site located along Gadan Zaima – Zuru Road in Bukuyyum Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State, North East Nigeria operated by armed bandits.

Zamfara State is the epicenter of Armed banditry and has the largest gold deposits in Nigeria.

A statement from the Acting Director Defence Media Operations,  Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko said the troops arrested 150 suspects and recovered 20 locally fabricated Dane Guns and one loaded magazine were recovered by the troops in an abandoned structure during the operation.

Onyeuko said that One of the suspects was neutralized while trying to escape. Preliminary investigation reveals that aside sabotaging the nation’s economy, banditry is being financed through these illegal mining activities.

He equally stated that following credible intelligence, troops deployed at Wagini village arrested a wanted notorious bandit named Isuhu Ibrahim (aka Bula) who in company of other bandits have been terrorizing the general area for a while.

“in a related development, on 20 August 2020, Acting DMO stated that troops deployed at Daki Takwas conducted a snap road block and successfully intercepted a Toyota Corolla car with Reg No. DAL 41MT.

“After a diligent search on the vehicle, troops discovered 11 brand new locally made rifles and 150 live cartridges carefully concealed in different parts of the vehicle.” General Onyeuko said.

He said that a total of five men were so far arrested in connection to the illegal fire arms.

Onyeuko at the Information Center Nigerian Army Special Super Camp 4 Faskari in Katsina State also disclosed that a repentant bandit leader named Bornon Kejo willingly surrendered to troops and submitted 2 AK-47 Rifles and 2 AK 47 Rifle magazines at Zurmi in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State.

Efforts are ongoing to recover more weapons as well as encourage others to embrace peace and submit their arms.

“Also, between 19 – 20 August 2020, 7 trucks loaded with cattle suspected to have been rustled were arrested along Jibia – Katsina road and Gusau – Zaria road respectively. Arrested cattle and suspects have been handed over to Katsina State Police Command and Zamfara State Association of Rustled Animals, Gusau for further necessary action.

“All arrested suspects are currently in custody undergoing preliminary investigation and will soon be handed over to relevant prosecuting agencies for further action.” he said.