Women among scores arrested for banditry in Nigeria

from EMEKA OKONKWO in Abuja, Nigeria
ABUJA – NIGERIAN troops have killed an unspecified number of suspected bandits and arrested over 50 others, including two women.

Three kidnapped victims have been rescued during the operations in the restive Zamfara State, northwest of the country.

The army initiated the operations in the wake of a spate of wanton
killings, kidnappings for ransom, cattle rustling and armed robberies.
Operations consisted of raids, ambushes, fighting patrols, road blocks and air strikes.

An assortment of sophisticated arms and ammunition has been confiscated.

Other recoveries include over 1 000 rustled cattle, cars, motorcycles and mobile phones.

The breakthrough by the military, according to officials, had led to the return of more than 6 000 internally displaced people (IDPs) to their homes.

Brigadier General John Agim, Nigerian Army spokesman, urged citizens to complement efforts by the military to rid Zamfara of crime.

“This is the least we can all do to return the state back to the path of
socio-political and economic development where investors will feel safe to come and invest,” Agim said.

Zamfara is among several states beset by violent crime in Nigeria.

Among these crises afflicting the West African country include terror by the Boko Haram, an Islamist insurgent group, and clashes between farmers and cattle herders over land.

– CAJ News