By ZAGAZOLA MAKAMA

Troops of 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, under the Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP), have foiled a planned attack by bandits, neutralising one notorious criminal and recovering arms and ammunition in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The operation was carried out in the early hours of Wednesday at Gwande Community in Monguna District as part of the decisive phase of the ongoing Operation PEACE SHIELD aimed at ensuring a peaceful yuletide celebration across the joint operations area.

Zagazola learnt that the troops acted on credible intelligence indicating that a group of bandits was mobilising to attack a nearby community.

“During the intelligence-led operation, troops made contact with the bandits and engaged them in a firefight, forcing the criminals to disperse in disarray,” the source said.

During the encounter, one bandit identified as Mallam Yahuza Abdullahi, aged 35, was neutralised.

The troops also recovered one fabricated revolver rifle, one fabricated pistol, nine rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and six cartridges from the criminals.

According to preliminary information from the community, the neutralised bandit was a member of a criminal syndicate that had been terrorising Gwande Community and surrounding areas.

The source said troops had commenced follow-up operations to track down, intercept and arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate. (Zagazola, but headline rejigged)