Troops arrest notorious bandit leader, Habu Dogo, in Sokoto, rescue 147 kidnapped victims

Nigerian troops have announced the arrest of a notorious bandit leader, Abubakar Bawa Ibrahim, alias Habu Dogo, who has been terrorizing residents of communities in Sokoto State.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), in a statement on Saturday by Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Edward Buba, disclosed that troops conducting counter-insurgency operations arrested the wanted bandit kingpin who has been responsible for killings and kidnappings in Sokoto.

Buba said Habu Dogo was arrested in Rumji Village, Illela Local Government Area, of the state.

“He (Habu Dogo) is a wanted terrorist on the watch list of security agencies both in Nigeria and in the Niger Republic because of the cross-border nature of his activities,” the Army spokesman noted.

In related developments, Buba disclosed that during operations across the country, 147 kidnapped victims were rescued while 187 terrorists were neutralised as well as 311 other criminal elements including perpetrators of oil theft were arrested.

“In the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 51 terrorists, arrested 55 persons and rescued 81 kidnapped hostages,” he said

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“Troops also recovered 26 AK47 rifles, six fabricated rifles, three Dane guns, five pump action-6 guns, three locally made pistols, 414 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 297 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 210 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 51 rounds of 9mm ammo, 30 live cartridges, six magazines, seven motorcycles and six mobile phones amongst others.

“On 21 October 2024, troops in separate fighting patrol operations made contact with terrorists in Maradun and Isa LGAs of Zamfara and Sokoto States respectively. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 13 terrorists and recovered 9 AK47 rifles, 3 pump action guns, 297 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 132 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 4 magazines, 3 motorcycles and 2 mobile phones amongst others.

“On 23 October 2024, troops while conducting a fighting patrol responded to information on activities of suspected terrorists/kidnappers in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State. During the operations, troops rescued 4 kidnapped hostages and recovered one AK47 rifle loaded with 16 rounds of 7.62mm special as well as one mobile phone.

“Between 22 and 28 October 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with terrorists in Rabah and Tsafe LGAs of Sokoto and Zamfara States as well as Wasagu and Batsari LGAs of Kebbi and Katsina States.

“Additionally, troops conducted operations in Giwa and Kachia LGAs of Kaduna State. Following firefights, troops neutralized 17 terrorists, arrested 11 and rescued one kidnapped hostage.

“Troops also recovered two AK47 rifles, six fabricated rifles, three Dane guns, two pump action guns, three locally fabricated pistols, 210 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 132 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 51 rounds of 9mm, 30 live cartridges, two magazines, four motorcycles and nine mobile phones amongst others,’ Buba added.

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