Fourteen bandits were Sunday morning gunned down during an attack on Police Station in Katsina-Ala, Benue state.
The bandits, according to police authority, were at the station to rescue five of their members earlier arrested and kept in the cell at the Area Command station.
Spokesperson Benue State Police Command DSP Catherine Sewuese Anene, in a press statement said series of operations were ongoing in Katsina-Ala and in one of the operations on 19th June, 2021; the suspected bandits were arrested and kept in the cell for investigation.
She, however, noted that in the early hours of Sunday around 1:30 am, 50 bandits mobilised and invaded the station to rescue their members but the police repelled and killed 14 of them.
She said: “It is no longer news that series of operations are going on in Kastina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. These activities are geared towards a total clamp down on bandits’ activities in the area.
“On 19th June, 2021 five bandits were arrested and detained at Kastina-Ala Police Division for investigation and prosecution.
“On 20th June, 2021 at about 0130hrs more than fifty other gang members of the detainees mobilised and invaded the police station to rescue their counterparts.
“Officers at the division who were already at alert engaged them in a gun duel and were able to subdue the bandits.
“Fourteen (14) of them were brought down during the exchange of fire while several others escaped with gunshot injuries. Operatives in the area are currently on the trail of suspects at large.
“The good people of Kastina-Ala town are advised to remain calm and avail every useful information about the bandits to the police.”
15 bandits killed in Niger
In a related development, about 15 armed bandits were killed in a gun duel with troops Saturday in Anguwan Mallam, Kontagora, Niger state.
Blueprint gathered that the exchange of fire occurred at about 4.00pm when the troops on patrol sighted the criminals at the location.
A local source told Blueprint that the arrival of the troops was what saved the 70-member gang from dealing a deadly attack on the residents.
With the gallant soldiers exhibiting superior firepower, the bandits reportedly fled into the bush.
However, the police authority was yet to comment on the development as at the time of this report.
NAF shells terrorists
Also in yet another victory over the criminal elements, the fighter aircraft of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Sunday eliminated scores of ISWAP-Boko Haram terrorists, including their commanders in Lamboa in Kaga local government area of Borno state.
PRNigeria gathered that the multiple airstrikes conducted by a mix of aircraft including Alpha-Jets, L-39 and MI-35 helicopters, might have also killed the notorious ISWAP Logistic Commander, Modu Sullum.
Sullum was allegedly responsible for the destruction of power transmission towers at Malanari along Maiduguri-Damaturu Highway and attacks on travellers in Auno and Jakana axis.
The insurgents, in a convoy of eight gun trucks had invaded Lamboa, preparatory to launching a gruesome attack in Mainok axis in the state.
But the terrorists were swiftly engaged by ground and air troops, who foiled their missions after the NAF reconnaissance platform had earlier hovered over the location before the airstrikes.
It was gathered that over a dozen ISWAP-Boko Haram fighters were killed by bombardments of the military fighter aircraft.
When contacted, air force spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet confirmed the success of the military airstrikes.
He told PRNigeria that “Yes, it was a very successful operation. Of the eight terrorist gun trucks sighted by our surveillance team, the aircraft successfully took out six of the trucks, including an unconfirmed number of terrorists that were eliminated.
“Currently, the ground troops of the Nigerian Army and our air elements are mopping up the area and assessing the situation.
“As we have said before, there is no hiding place for these terrorists especially with the renewed vigour, synergy and jointness being exhibited by all members of the Armed forces in the North-East theatre of Operation.”
Meanwhile, PRNigeria gathered that other military offensives were simultaneously taken place in other axes including Magumeri with the resumption of office of the New Theatre Commander Operation Hadi Kai, Major-General Chris Musa.
