Thirteen bandits have been killed and eight others arrested by the troops under Operation Hadarin Daji in Zamfara state during an operation.

In a statement issued to newsmen signed by the acting spokesperson of the troops, Captain Ayobami Oni-Orisan said among the arrested bandits was a woman who was used by bandits to kidnap people.

Some items intercepted by the troops include, seven AK 47 rilfes, eight loaded magazines, 22 Motorcycles,  two dane guns, four GSM phones and 30 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit.

The troops have also intercepted suspected drug counterfeiters and drug dealers with 350 cartons of fake “PECOL” drugs and a sizeable consignment of suspected Indian Hemp in Zurmi and Shinkafi Local Government Areas of Zamfara state respectively.

Captain Oyobami said the drugs which were being smuggled from Niger Republic through Jibia, were carefully concealed behind bags of fresh pepper in a bus with registration number RMY 156 XA Katsina to avoid any suspicion.

According to him,

“Careful scrutiny of the vehicle by the troops,  led to the discovery of the fake drugs.”

Oyobami further said,

“Troops deployed in Shinkafi Local Government also intercepted another vehicle conveying a suspected drug dealer with a large quantity of  Indian Hemp carefully concealed inside a carton”.

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He maintained that, all the suspects and exhibits were handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) respectively for further prosecution and destruction of the drugs.

He assured the people of Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi and sokoto states that, the ongoing operation against banditry and all forms of criminality would continue until peace was restored.