The Kebbi State Police Command, in collaboration with the military, has neutralised suspected terrorist elements during a joint clearance operation in Gumki Forest, Kangiwa, Arewa Local Government Area.

The operation was conducted at about 6:05 a.m. on Monday, September 14, following security efforts to clear the forest and surrounding routes of criminal elements.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, said Gumki Forest was a known route used by bandits and Lakurawa elements operating in the area.

He said the joint security team engaged the suspected terrorists during the operation and successfully neutralised some of them.

Items recovered included one PKT rifle with 174 rounds of live ammunition, one AK-47 rifle with 14 rounds of ammunition, two mobile phones and four motorcycles.

The operatives also recovered two military camouflage uniforms, a pair of military boots and charms allegedly belonging to the criminal elements.

Usman said the area remained relatively calm after the operation, while security forces continued clearance operations aimed at eliminating criminal elements from the forest and adjoining communities.

The Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Umar Hadejia, commended the operatives for 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 urged residents to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could assist ongoing operations.

The police assured residents that joint operations would continue until criminal elements were completely cleared from the forest and its adjoining routes.