The Kebbi State Police Command, in collaboration with the military, has neutralised suspected terrorist elements during a joint clearance operation at Gumki Forest in Kangiwa, Arewa Local Government Area of the state.
The operation, conducted at about 6:05am on Monday, also led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, motorcycles and other items allegedly belonging to the criminal elements.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, Gumki Forest is a known route used by bandits and Lakurawa elements operating in the area.
He said the joint team engaged the terrorists during the clearance operation and successfully neutralised some of them.
Items recovered from the operation included one PKT rifle with 174 rounds of live ammunition, one AK-47 rifle with 14 rounds of ammunition, two mobile phones, four motorcycles, a pair of military camouflage uniforms, a pair of boots and charms.
“During the operation, the joint team successfully engaged and neutralised terrorist elements operating within the area,” Usman said.
He added that the area remained relatively calm, while security forces continued clearance operations aimed at eliminating criminal elements from the forest and surrounding communities.
The Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Umar Hadejia, commended the operatives for what he described as their gallantry and dedication to duty.
Hadejia said the command would sustain coordinated and intelligence-led operations with other security agencies to tackle banditry, terrorism and other forms of criminality across the state.
He also urged residents to support security agencies by providing “timely and credible information” that could assist ongoing operations.
The police assured residents that joint security operations would continue in the area until criminal elements were completely cleared from the forest and its adjoining routes.