5th February, 2020
Special forces of Operation Puff Adder of the Nigeria Police backed by the Special Forces of the Police Airwing have stormed one of the operational camps of the Ansaru Terror Group located in Kuduru Forest, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State.
In an attack the police called a ‘daring offensive’, the special squads neutralized over 250 high-profile members of the Ansaru Terror Group, police spokesman DCP Frank Mba said.
“The operation which commenced in the early hours of today, 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).
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.
During the operation, 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.
However, the pilot and the co-pilot successfully landed the aircraft at the Air Force Base, Kaduna without further incident.
They were thereafter evacuated for medical treatment. Both officers who sustained non-life threatening injuries are currently receiving treatment and are in stable condition.
The Police helicopter has since been flown out of the Kaduna Air Force Base by Police Pilots en-route to Abuja.
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 equally applauded the bravery, commitment and dedication of the Police operatives currently conducting the special mission.