By Desire Emmanuel
The Nigerian Army on Friday, October 11, confirmed that one of its soldiers as well as a vigilante member were shot when troops engaged some bandits in a gun duel after they abducted residents at a community in Kwara State.
The Nigerian Army announced the development on its verified X handle, saying during the gun duel, the bandits fled in different directions and abandoned the two victims who they abducted from their home.
According to the Army, a report was received regarding a kidnap incident in Efagi village under Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, and after getting the report, troops of 2 Division/Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, pursued the bandits, rescued two kidnapped victims who were taken from their home in the early hours of Friday, October 10.
The Nigerian Army wrote: “The troops deployed at the Patrol Base in Lafiagi got a wave of the incident and immediately mobilised to the area in collaboration with vigilante group. They pursued the criminals, and engaged them in a gun duel, forcing the bandits to flee and abandoning the victims.
“Unfortunately, one soldier and a vigilante member sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter. Both were immediately evacuated for treatment.
“The rescued victims were reunited with their families, while troops continued further exploitation of the area.”
There has been an escalation in the spate of bandits attacks in Kwara State in recent times, and this has made the Federal Government to establish an Army base in the volatile area of the state.
