By Desire Emmanuel
Nineteen bandits were shot dead by men of the Nigerian Army while they were attempting to invade some communities and launch attacks on residents in Kano State.
Sadly, two soldiers as well as a member of the vigilante group were killed during a gun duel with the hoodlums.
The Nigerian Army announced the development in a statement on Monday, November 3, as it said troops of Joint Task Force Operation MESA in Shanono Local Government Area of the state contained the incursion of the bandits into the area local government.
According to the army, following a tip-off on movement of bandits around Ungwan Tudu, Ungwan Tsamiya, Goron Dutse axis of the local government area last Saturday, the troops, supported by other security agencies, raided the bandits and pushed them out of Shanono, resulting in a heavy fire fight. It was further confirmed that the bandits, some of who sustained gunshot wounds, arrived on motorcycles.
The Nigerian Army wrote: “The intervention commenced when troops responded to reports of bandits movements in the area. Troops deployed at Tsaure came in contact with the bandits which led to exchange of fire where the soldiers pursued the bandits and recovered several motorcycles and mobile phones from them.
“It was confirmed that 19 bandits were killed during the encounter. Regrettably, two gallant soldiers and one local vigilante paid the supreme price.”
The army added that further operations are ongoing in the area in order to track down the fleeing bandits while efforts are being made to protect the communities who have been prone to cattle rustling from the bandits.
The photographs of the bandits that were shot dead are too gory to be posted in this report.
