The Nigerian troops, comprising military and mobile police forces, have eliminated 42 armed bandits at Allawa Community in Shiroro axis of Niger State.
The joint security operatives laid an ambush for the bandits, who were fleeing the ongoing military operations in neighbouring Zamfara state.
According to a source involved in the operation, soldier was killed while another sustained injury during the gun duel.
“The troops got credible intelligence on the movement of the bandits toward Alawa.
“They were escaping from military onslaught in forests of neighbouring Zamfara and we engaged them at Maganda Junction. At least 42 bandits were killed, as the rest escaped with serious wounds.
“We lost a soldier, while other team members who sustained injury have been taken to a hospital in Kagara.
“We also recovered sophisticated weapons, motorcycles and herds of cattle from the bandits during the operation,” he revealed.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in Shiroro have sought permanent solutions to the influx of fleeing bandits in their area.
Some community leaders have reported that armed bandits fleeing Zamfara were seen on motorcycles with masked faces.
“The military operation ongoing in Zamfara needs to be well-coordinated and replicated in other States Zamfara borders, so as to save the vulnerably proximitous State from bearing the brunt of the operation,” they said.
The bandits were sighted in Galadiman Kogo, Zama, Magami, Maganda, Paleli, Iburo, Chukuba and Dnasapa, all in Shiroro local government.
A spokesperson of the Coalition of Shiroro Associations (COSA), Salis M Sabo in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday, called on security agencies to swiftly intervene and wipe the cries of the people of Shiroro.
PRNigeria
