Security operatives in Sabon-Gari village, Wase Local Council of Plateau State, have gunned down eight bandits. The incident occurred during a joint operation of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a multi-security task force deployed to restore law and order in the state, and vigilante operatives to flush out the bandits in Wase.

The Guardian gathered that the operation began on Saturday and continued till Sunday night. Abdullahi Usman, a resident, told newsmen that during the clash, Zurak and Yaddi Lawan villages, which had been seized and served as base for the bandits, were recovered by the military.

He said: “Some of the bandits were killed, while some fled the community. It was a successful joint operation by soldiers and vigilantes.”

Military Information Officer of OPSH, Maj. Ishaku Takwa, confirmed the incident and told newsmen that eight bandits were killed during the operation.

HOWEVER, the crack team of the Borno State Police Command lost an officer in a clash with Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, along Maiduguri–Damaturu road.

The crack team reportedly repelled the terrorists at the checkpoint in Auno village, Konduga Local Council, 25 kilometres west of Maiduguri, the state capital.

Auno was torched many times between 2018 and 2020 leading to the exodus of residents to Maiduguri for safety and shelter.
Confirming the incident, yesterday, in Maiduguri, a counter-insurgency expert and analyst, Zagazola Makama, disclosed that beside the loss of personnel, about six other policemen sustained injuries, while repelling the terrorists.

According to him, the terrorists, in large numbers, attacked policemen at the checkpoint, yesterday, shooting sporadically to scare motorists and commuters along the road.

He, however, noted that two officers on duty engaged the terrorists in a gun duel, resulting in the killing of a policeman.

MORE than 12,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), including women and children, were returned to their Shimfida community, Jibia Local Council of Katsina State, yesterday.

The IDPs had left the area since March 10, following incessant terrorists’ attacks, which left many people dead and the community largely deserted.

Before being returned to their abode, over 6,000 of them had been staying at the Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Jibia, where they were taken care of by government.

The rest, who fled to neighbouring Niger Republic, were transported into Jibia, same yesterday, for onward movement to Shimfida.

Speaking before the IDPs were returned, escorted by military personnel, Chairman of Jibia Local council, Bishir Sabi’u, said an initial N88.6 million was doled out by state government for the exercise.

He added that another tranche N18 million was also approved by Governor Aminu Masari for provision of medicaments for both the IDPs and essential workers in the community.