The Joint Task Force North West, Operation Hadarin Daji, announced that they have successfully eliminated 10 terrorists and rescued nine kidnapped victims in the region spanning Zamfara and Katsina States. In addition to this, they were able to seize arms and ammunition, operational motorcycles, and communication devices during their operations.
These developments were revealed in a statement by the Force Information Officer, Cpt. Ibrahim Yahaya. According to him, these achievements were made possible through recent dry season clearance operations led by Maj-Gen Godwin Mutkut, the General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Nigerian Army.
On January 3, 2024, troops of the OPHD conducted an offensive operation in the terrorist enclaves at Batsari and Safana Local Government Areas of Katsina State. This resulted in the neutralization of 10 terrorists, with others fleeing the scene with gunshot wounds. The recovering of one AK-47 rifle, ammunition, seven Dane guns, three locally fabricated guns, and other dangerous weapons, along with communication gadgets, was also reported. Additionally, mobile phones, military uniforms, and four motorcycles were recovered and subsequently destroyed by the military.
A parallel operation conducted in Zamfara State led to the rescue of nine kidnapped victims, which included five women and four babies, in Dansadau and Dandalla villages in Maru LG of Zamfara State. The victims had been abandoned by the fleeing terrorists after a confrontation with the troops. They were then reunited with their families at Magami in Zamfara State.
Maj-Gen Godwin Mutkut praised the efforts of the troops and encouraged them to maintain the same level of commitment. Separately, troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army at Birnin Yero in Igabi LG, Kaduna State, also successfully rescued 11 civilians who had been kidnapped by bandits in Anguwan Maharba and Dandami villages, though unfortunately, two of the abducted victims had been killed before the troops’ arrival.
Furthermore, Operation Hadarin Jadi forces managed to dismantle terrorists’ enclaves, neutralize several of them, and recover arms and ammunition in Zamfara and Sokoto States.
