ANSARU TERRORISTS’ GROUP COMMANDER, THREE OTHER LIEUTENANTS SHOT DEAD

The Nigeria Police on Thursday confirmed killing of commander of the Ansaru Terrorists’ Group, Bashir Leta, during the Wednesday raid of the bandits notorious operational camps (also housing other bandits and kidnappers) located in Kuduru Forest, Birnin Gwari,   Kaduna State.

Penpushing reports The Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba made this known in a statement, adding that Leta was killed alongside some of his lieutenants which include Haruna Basullube  one of the most wanted kidnappers/cattle rustlers in the country, as well as Mallam Abba  Commander of Boko Haram camp in Kuduru Forest and one Mofa  a notorious kidnapper who  were critically injured

‘In the aftermath of the Police counter-terrorism operations which successfully neutralized the operational bases of the Ansaru Terrorists’ Group and bandits, one Haruna Basullube ‘m’ – one of the most wanted kidnappers/cattle rustlers in the country and one Bashir Leta ‘m’ – another notorious bandits’ commander were killed; while one Mallam Abba ‘m’ – Commander of Boko Haram camp in Kuduru Forest and one Mofa ‘m’ – a notorious kidnapper were critically injured’, the statement said.

Penpushing further reports that, the police, however, lamented the loss of one of its officers, Inspector Muhammed Abubakar attached to the Police Special Forces  as a result of injuries sustained in the heat of the combat.

‘Thirteen other officers (made up of 2 SPs, 1 DSP, 4 Inspectors and 6 Sergeants) including the Pilot and Co-pilot of the Police helicopter, sustained different degrees of injuries and are currently receiving treatment’.

The statement added that, the late Inspector  was one of the finest officers of the Police Special Forces with vast training and operational background, both at home and abroad, and was among the pioneer set of the Police Special Forces trained in Belarus.

Penpushing also reports that, the deceased was born on July 8, 1985, got enlisted into the Nigeria Police on June 1, 2008 as a Constable and rose to the rank of Inspector of Police before his untimely death.

‘As a member of the Special Forces, he participated in several successful Police operations and joint missions with the military in the fight against insurgency both in and outside the North-eastern part of the country’.

‘While condoling with the family, friends, and professional colleagues of the late officer, the IGP restates the commitment of the Force to the safety of its personnel and the nation’,the police spokesman said.

‘Some of the exhibits recovered by the Police during the operation include 11 AK47 rifles, 730 rounds of live AK47 ammunition, 152 rounds of GPMG ammunition in two chains, 13 pairs of military camouflage uniforms, 2 cartons and 48 sachets of tramadol, four facemasks, phones and other electronic gadgets which are currently subject of forensic investigations’.

The police said citizens living in and around Birnin-Gwari axis of Kaduna State have been enjoined to be on the lookout for fleeing bandits especially those with bullet wounds and report every suspicious behavior to the Police.

Meanwhile, Mba said as mop-up operations continue, the Inspector-General of Police has deployed crack detectives and special forensic investigators from the Force Headquarters to expedite investigations into the broad criminal enterprise of the group and their associates.