Troops Neutralise Bandit, Recover AK-47 Rifle, Ammunitions In Kwara

Troops of 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, Kwara State, have neutralised one bandit in Edu local government area of the State.

The troops also recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and a motorcycle during the operation in the troubled areas in Patigi and Edu local government areas.

The acting assistant director, Army Public Relations, 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, Captain Stephen Nwankwo, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Ilorin, the state capital on Thursday.

Nwankwo said that the troop deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Patigi, on fighting patrol within Gbugbu general area, have continued to sustain pressure on criminal elements, recording a major success in the early hours of Wednesday.

“At about 12:10am, the vigilant troops following a credible human intelligence on movement of armed bandits along Lema – Daban Lema road in Edu LGA of Kwara State, conducted ambush and subsequently made contact with the miscreants from the ambush site. In the exchange of fire that ensued, the soldiers overpowered the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.

“During a subsequent exploitation along the bandits’ withdrawal route, the troops neutralised one bandit. Items recovered from the operation include one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and a motorcycle.

“The remains of the neutralised bandits have since been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

“Commending the gallant troops, the Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Ezra Barkins, praised their vigilance, resilience, and doggedness urging them to continue to take the fight to the enemy. He reaffirmed the Brigade’s determination to intensify operations and employ all legitimate means to eradicate criminal elements while safeguarding the lives and property of law-abiding citizens within its joint operations area,” Nwankwo stated.