Leggi Jibrin, the wanted leader of a notorious bandit gang terrorising villages in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba states, has been allegedly arrested following a gun duel with troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), a joint military/security operation that covers the three states.
According to a security source, the wanted notorious bandit leader, who had been on OPWS’ radar, was apprehended by troops during a sting operation in Agam/Gidan Bawa village in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
According to the source, the operation, which took place on the orders of the Force Commander, Major General Kevin Aligbe, resulted in the rescue of five kidnap victims by troops deployed to Ugya in the state’s Toto LGA.
“OPWS troops posted to Ugya in Toto LGA of Nasarawa State received credible intel and responded quickly to a distress call of a kidnapping activities near Zaure forest,” the source added.
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He said; “when our forces arrived at the forest, we discovered three trucks loaded with illegal timber abandoned in the forest. For this reason, the forces combed the forest, came across the kidnappers’ camp, and rescued five of the kidnapped people.
“The rescued victims includes Abdulkafar Nuhu, Adamu Dagana, Emmanuel Osasede, Jacob Amaku and Danladi Amaku.”
“The army also arrested a notorious bandit kingpin at Agam/Gidan Bawa village in Nasarawa LGA of Nasarawa state during the operation.”
“OPWS forces swooped on the bandits as they raided the community. The troops confronted them in a gunfight, which ended in Jibrin’s arrest and one of the bandits’ deaths.
“When our men arrived at the location of The raid, several of the bandits, who were armed with high-caliber guns, fled the area as soon as they saw our soldiers.”
“Our forces then pursued them and exchanged gunfire with them.” The kingpin was shot in the leg and was apprehended, while others were killed.
“I must mention that the success of the attack on the bandits was made possible by credible intelligence we received that the notorious bandit kingpin and other armed bandits in the area were raiding several communities,” the source said.
One AK-47 rifle, one AK-49 rifle, 106 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and a cellphone were among the items confiscated from the bandits, according to him.
Source: The Vanguard.
