Nine Bandits Killed in Gun Battle With Troops in Kano Community
At least nine bandits were reportedly killed during a prolonged gun battle between Nigerian troops and armed criminals in Bakaji and Unguwar Garma communities, Goron Dutse area of Shanono Local Government Area, Kano State.
The clash, which occurred late on Saturday, also claimed the life of a vigilante member, while another sustained injuries during the exchange of gunfire.
The bandits were said to have stormed the area in large numbers and engaged troops in a fierce duel that lasted several hours before retreating under intense military fire.
Confirming the incident on Sunday, Chairman of the Shanono/Bagwai Community Security Forum, Yahya Bagobiri, said the attackers fled the area after suffering casualties but escaped with about 40 rustled cows and six abducted persons.
“The military killed the bandits and recovered motorcycles, but the criminals sneaked back around 5 a.m.–6 a.m., opening heavy fire on the military, though they could not penetrate the area.
“Because they came in hundreds, they still abducted six persons and rustled 40 cows. But thanks to the military, who returned heavy fire, killing nine of them, the bandits abandoned many motorcycles,” Bagobiri said.
He added that the criminals later returned in the early hours of the morning to retrieve the bodies of the slain bandits.
Bagobiri praised the military for their response, noting that their presence prevented the situation from escalating further.
“Let me honestly commend the military, who safeguarded the area and ensured that the bandits were stopped from causing serious havoc. They deserved to be appreciated because at that time, nobody could even come out of their home,” he said.
When contacted, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, Captain Babatunde Zubairu, confirmed the encounter but said the exact number of casualties on the side of the bandits could not be verified.
“Yes, I cannot confirm the exact number of bandits killed, but one vigilante was injured.
“We recovered three motorcycles and two mobile phones with bloodstains,” he said.
The latest operation comes months after troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation MESA, led by the 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, neutralised no fewer than 19 bandits during a similar security operation in Shanono Local Government Area in October.
