The troops of 1 Division , Nigerian Army under Operation Whirl Punch , have neutralised five bandits , including a notorious kidnapper from Zamfara State identified as Sani Danbuzuwa .

Deputy Director , Army Public Relations, 1 Division , Col . Muhammad Dole, made this known in a statement yesterday.

He , however , regretted that one soldier was killed in the process in Kwuyambana forest in Zamfara, while two were injured .

“ The wounded soldiers are responding to treatment in a military hospital in Kaduna ,” Dole added .

He said the troops also apprehended a “ vicious kidnapper and expert in negotiations for ransom, called Yinusa Suleiman from Sambuwa village on August 14, 2018.”

Suleiman is reportedly assisting security operatives in investigations .
“ The troops responded to a distress call about an armed robbery along Birnin – Gwari/Funtua road . While pursuing the armed robbers, they (soldiers) were ambushed by suspected bandits .

However, they fought their way and overpowered the bandits , who hastily withdrew into Kwuyambana forest in Zamfara State, ” Dole said.

After a thorough search of the ambushed area, one AK 47 rifle , three magazines , 87 rounds of 7. 62mm , (special) one G3 rifle , four magazines and 61 rounds of 7 .62mm (NATO) were recovered , he disclosed .

In a related development , the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj- Gen . Abba Dikko , has warned troops against “ indiscipline and insubordination” , if they want to end insurgency .

Handing down the warning on Wednesday at the Dalwa front line along 187 – kilometres Maiduguri /Damboa road , Dikko said indiscipline and insubordination could mar whatever had been achieved in the war against insurgency and terrorism .

The warning came through a statement signed by the Deputy Director , Army Public Relations of the command , Col . Onyeama Nwachukwu , in Maiduguri .