In continuation of the concerted efforts of clearing cattle rustlers, armed bandits and kidnappers in the North-Western geo-political region, the Nigerian Army say troops of 1 Division in conjunction with other security agencies have made tremendous progress.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman “It is in line with this that troops of 223 Battalion, 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army embarked on a patrol to Maru Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State. During the patrol, the team encountered and engaged notorious armed bandits that have been wrecking havoc on the communities. The troops killed nine of them, while a few escaped with gunshot wounds. The team recovered three AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 rifle magazines, five rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, a machete and 24 motorcycles after a thorough combing of the general area.”

The Army also disclosed that “in a sheer act of bravery, local vigilantes at 'Yargada village, Gusau LGA apprehended another armed bandit.

“Buoyed by this success, the troops’ morale is very high and are determined to continue to enhance the general security of their respective areas of operation through patrols, raids and clearance operations.”

•Photo shows Nigerian troops engaged in the war against Boko Haram.