Troops arrest bandit kingpin ‘Jabi Ruwa’, 4 lieutenants in Zamfara, Sokoto

<p>Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) Northwest have arrested bandit kingpin Jabi Ruwa and four of his lieutenants during a clearance operation in Zamfara and Sokoto states.</p>, <p>A top military source disclosed to the Nigerian Tribune on Saturday that all the arrested persons are currently undergoing preliminary investigation.</p>, <p>He disclosed that Operation Hadarin Daji has renewed its aggressive onslaught on bandit enclaves in an ongoing clearance operation in the Northwest area, which includes Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, and Zamfara States.</p>, <p>“On 28 July 2023, acting on credible information about a bandit kingpin named Jabi Ruwa and some of his members taking refuge in Dambala village, the troops of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gwadabawa and troops of Raka in Sokoto state, in conjunction with local guides, immediately mobilized to Dambala village, where Jabi Ruwa and four other members were apprehended.”</p>, <p>The source disclosed that all the arrested persons are currently undergoing preliminary investigation.</p>, <p>“In another development, on 28 July 2023, troops of OPHD in a sustained clearance operation, cleared bandit enclaves and thoroughfare routes at Sangeko, Kabugu Lamba, Kaboro, and Mairairai villages in Maru Local Government of Zamfara state.</p>, <p>“During the process, troops came in contact with armed bandits at the notorious bandit leader Alhaji ILU’s hideout at Sangeko, Kabagon Lamba, Danmani, and Kaboro villages under Maru LGA. The troops engaged the armed bandits with superior firepower, which forced the bandits to flee, while one bandit was neutralized, and others escaped with gunshot wounds.”</p>, <p>He said the troops maintained aggressive patrols within the villages in order to eliminate other bandits and deny them the freedom of action within the area.</p>, <p>The Commander Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji, Major General Godwin Mutkut, who is also the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, has commended the troops.</p>, <p>He charged the troops to maint