The Nigerian military has reported fresh successes against bandits in Niger State after clashes along the Ashuwa–Alala axis and another strike around A’ure–Kuimo in Mariga Local Government Area.

According to a post by Emma Ik Umeh, troops fought a fierce encounter two days ago on the Ashuwa–Alala axis and followed it with another operation overnight in Mariga. He said some of the fighters fled and that the full extent of the gains was still being assessed.

Umeh praised the troops, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the wider military for staying on the offensive.

Niger State, including Mariga and neighbouring local governments, has been among the areas worst hit by kidnapping and bandit attacks. Security agencies have conducted repeated operations in the forest belts there, with mixed public updates on how many fighters were killed or captured.

Independent confirmation of last night’s casualty figures has not been issued in a detailed military statement. Residents in the affected communities typically wait for official accounts and for whether the pressure actually reduces attacks on roads and villages.