JTF kills scores of bandits in Niger, rescues 5 kidnap victims

The Joint Security Task Force in Niger State has neutralized scores of bandits in Gaskiya Bana, a border village between Niger and Kaduna state in Munya Local Government Area of Niger state.

The bandits believed to be those working for Alhaji Leyi, a notorious kingpin of bandits with operational base at Gaskiya Bana in Munya Local Government Area of the state, met their Waterloo during a clearance operation by men of the Joint Security Task Force.

Alhaji Leyi and his notorious gang had been terrorizing communities within Munya in Niger State and Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

During the operation, which lasted several hours, the Task Force also rescued no fewer than five kidnap victims who had been in the custody of the bandits for over one month.

Task Force recovered 300 cattle believed to have been rustled by the bandits and handed over to the state government for onward delivery to their owners.

Confirming the latest breakthrough by the Task Force in its war against the bandits in the state, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Umar, said in a statement in Minna yesterday that the operation was carried out on Thursday night when the Task Force took the battle to the operational base of the notorious bandits’ kingpin.

The commissioner disclosed that when the Task Force invaded the terrorist hideout at Gaskiya Bana, they (terrorists) fled in different directions. 

He added: “The security forces recovered large herds of cattle and proceeded towards Unguwan Aboki, another community terrorized by the terrorist.”