The Nigerian Army troops of the 33 Brigade have neutralized the leader of one of the notorious gangs of bandits /kidnappers terrorizing residents of Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, simply identified as Ya’u.
The armed bandit was killed in an ambush laid against him and his group at an identified crossing point in Bura, Ningi on Friday.
Nation reports that Ya’u is said to be the leader of a notorious gang using heavy weapons to terrorize residents of Burra and adjoining communities by kidnapping them for ransom in some extreme cases, killing them if demands for ransom payment cannot be met.
Village sources in Burra revealed that the Soldiers were able to neutralize Ya’u late on Thursday as he and his group made a way back to their hideout after an operation.
The bandits had earlier kidnapped the traditional ruler of a village called Kwajale, Sumaila LGA in Kano State the same day.
The bandit’s death was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations.
According to the statement, the troops while acting on actionable Intelligence laid in wait for the bandits and unleashed fire on them
The troops killed one, while others fled with gunshot wounds leaving traces of blood, just as the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, 14 live rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, a mobile phone, and a fetish amulet from the bandit.
The statement further revealed that In another operation the same day, troops responding to a report by a motorist, of a stolen Toyota Corolla car with registration number ABJ 343 KL, nabbed a gang of 3 Carjackers along the Bauchi – Jos Highway.
“On receipt of the report, the vigilant troops quickly mounted a snap checkpoint on the highway and successfully intercepted the criminals,” it said.
According to the statement, while attempting to escape upon sighting the troops, the criminal scratched the stolen vehicle, just as the troops swiftly apprehended the criminals and have since handed the suspects and the stolen vehicle over to the Nigeria Police Force for further action.
