The Nigeria Police said wednesday it has dislodged 250 terrorists and bandits from the dreaded Ansaru camp located in Kuduru forests,Birni Kwari,Kaduna statein a daring operation carried out by Special Operatives of Operation Puff Adder and backed by the Special Forces of the Police Airwing.
Frank MBA,police Public relations officer in force headquarters said the feat was achieved in a daring offensive operation.
He said the two police special units had “,stormed one of the largest operational camps of the Ansaru Terror Group (also housing other bandits and kidnappers) located in Kuduru Forest, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State and successfully neutralized over 250 high-profile members of the Ansaru Terror Group”.
According to MBA, the operation which commenced in the early hours of 5th February, 2020, was carried out by a combined team of operatives of Operation Puff Adder made up of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces, Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Special Tactical Squad (STS) and Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
He disclosed that the operation was necessitated by actionable intelligence linking terror and criminal elements in the super camp to series of terror-related violence, kidnappings, gun-running, cattle rustling and other heinous crimes across the country.
However, the operation was not without casualty as a Police Bell helicopter, which provided aerial and intelligence cover for the ground troops came under attack from the bandits using sophisticated anti-aircraft rifles and GPMG.
Said he,”Commendably, the pilot and the co-pilot who demonstrated uncommon courage and expertise, successfully landed the aircraft at the Air Force Base, Kaduna without further incident.
The courageous officers who he said sustained non-life threatening injuries,” were subsequently evacuated and currently receiving treatment and are in stable condition.”
He said the Police helicopter which came under gun attack by the bandits has since been flown out of the Kaduna Air Force Base by Police Pilots en-route to Abuja.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police assures citizens of safety and sustained intelligence-led operations against bandits across the length and breadth of the nation. He has equally applauded the unparalleled bravery, commitment and dedication of the Police operatives currently conducting the special mission.
