*Soldiers intercept fleeing bandits, neutralise one
According to the statement, the ring leader, Monday Chikwunka, aged 36 and indigene of Delta State, supposedly Igbo Delta, who specialized in rustling cows, killing and kidnapping of innocent citizens, was intercepted at the peak of the military exercise alongside 16 other members of his gang, which now clears the air on general beliefs that only Fulani blood commits cattle rustling/herdsmen related criminalities in Nigeria but that Igbo and members of other tribes also do.
It was like case of a knotty issue made easy to understand, as troops of HARBIN KUNAMA III, on Sunday, recorded huge successes conducting a joint operation with troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI and personnel of the Nigerian police to clear bandits and other reported cases of robbery, cattle rustling and kidnappings in Katsina State.
The clearance operation which is aimed at destroying all bandits’ camps in Katsina State has yielded tremendous results with shocking revelation that came with arrest of an Igbo man, Monday Chikwunka, who operated in the North West as ring leader of bandits carrying out all sorts of insecurity activities in the state, although Fulani herdsmen have been blamed for same by many Nigerians of Southern part of the country.
A statement by Mohammed Isa Yahaiya, a Lieutenant and Assistant Director of Army Public Relations 17 Brigade in the Katsina made this known on Sunday 18 July 2019.
According to the statement, the ring leader, Monday Chikwunka, aged 36 and indigene of Delta State, supposedly Igbo Delta, who specialized in rustling cows, killing and kidnapping of innocent citizens, was intercepted at the peak of the military exercise alongside 16 other members of his gang, which now clears the air on general beliefs that only Fulani blood commits cattle rustling/herdsmen related criminalities in Nigeria but that Igbo and members of other tribes also do.
The DEFENDER reports that moment after the daughter of Afenifere Leader, Funke Olakunrin was killed by gunmen in the Niger Delta militants zone of Ore, Ondo State, controversial spokesman of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, who is equally unhidden opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) apologist, Yinka Odumakin, had rushed to the press screaming she was killed by Fulani herdsmen, thereby creating tension that nearly incited set Southern communities against Northerners in the part of the country.
The Odumakin statement was quickly supported by an Olusegun Obasanjo letter that equally also nearly caused inter-ethnic uprising in the land but the quick interventionist statement of the Nigerian Police, which neutralized the politically motivated claims and gave what was later found to be a case of armed robbery committed by unknown gunmen.
The Police and Army have since that time made headway arresting criminals from both South and North as a result of which the insecurity situation in the country is seen to be collaborative activities of members from all tribes. All of those arrested in Edo State thereafter were found to be from the state and now the ones arrested in the North Western state of Katsina are even discovered to have an Igbo of Southern Nigeria as their ring leader.
In the update on Sunday, the Army said: “In the course of the operation, troops conducted a cordon and search exercise while acting on credible intelligence reports at YAR SANTA village in Kankara Local Government Area and its environ.
“At the peak of the exercise, one Mr Monday Chikwunka, 36 years old, an indigene of Delta State alongside sixteen (16) other bandits specialized in rustling cows, killing and kidnapping of citizens were intercepted.
“Preliminary interrogation and confessional statements by the suspects revealed that the gang are responsible for most criminal activities in the State and its localities.
“The ring leader (Monday Chikwunka) also served as medical aid of these criminals by providing medical assistance to the wounded bandits who sustained gun shot wounds and their families. He confessed treating the pregnant wife of one of the most notorious bandit, DOGO NAHALLI who is still at large.
“The suspects have been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation and prosecution.
“In a similar development, troops while on clearance operations, encountered a group of fleeing bandits and neutralized one of the criminals who tried to escape. Many camps belonging to the bandits were destroyed.
“The following items were recovered from the scene: 2× AK 47 rifle, 4× AK 47 Magazines and 10 rounds of 7.62 mm, 6× locally made Dane guns, 1× revolver pistol, 1× locally made revolver rifle, 20× handsets and 2× motorcycles.
“The locals expressed optimism and appreciation while commending the efforts of Nigerian Army as well as other security agencies for ensuring the safety of lives and properties which enabled them continued with their routine activities including farming in the areas. Troops will continue to exploit by combing all hideouts of the bandits with the view to denying them freedom of action.
“The general public are as usual enjoined to assist troops and other security agencies by providing credible information on any suspicious activities and movements of persons or goods,” the Army said in a statement by Mohammed Isa Yahaiya, Lieutenant and Assistant Director Army Public Relations 17 Brigade, Katsina.
