Banditry: Army begins operation in Zamfara

The Nigerian Army has deployed troops with heavy weaponry to Zamfara State as part of preparations for Army Day celebration 2016 and launching of operation Harbin Kunama to rid the state of armed bandits.

Briefing newsmen in Gusau, the acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman Kukasheka said they were aware that the armed bandits had started fleeing the forests, but that all steps were being taken to block their passage.

Colonel Kukasheka said that this year's event would be a two-edged one in the sense that military exercise would include an operation to get rid of the armed bandits and other criminals. He said President Muhammadu Buhari would be expected to launch the event tomorrow.

Troops were seen camping with their heavy fighting equipment at the Gusau airstrip in preparation to launch major offensives against the armed bandits and cattle rustlers that have been terrorizing the rural communities in the last five years.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, said when he paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello that the Nigerian Army was ready to tackle the menace of cattle rustling and armed banditry not only in Zamfara but in the whole of North-West zone.

He said some of the activities marking the day would be launched in Dansadau District, that the activities include combat air-borne jump and equipment display.

The Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, welcomed the development and called for the Army's immediate intervention for the restoration of peace and security in the state.

In May this year more than 3,000 residents were displaced from three villages in Dansadau District following deadly raids on their communities by the armed bandits.