Troops of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with vigilantes have neutralised over 100 bandits around Kundu village in Wushishi local government area of Niger state.
Blueprint gathered that the troops laid ambush for the criminals on Wednesday morning while they were crossing Kontagora road through their usual route heading towards Akere axis.
It was learnt that the bandits have been using the same route to unleash havoc on Wushishi and Mashegu LGAs of the state, where they carry out kidnapping and cattle rustling crimes.
Sources revealed that the military has been monitoring the movement of the bandits through the route for sometimes before swooping on them in an ambush leading to much casualties on the part of the bandits.
An eye witnesse from Kundu community who spoke on condition of anonymity explained that the villagers got wind of the hoodlums coming with motorcycles but only to discover that they changed tactics by trekking.
He said, “We suspected this to be the handwork of informants to the bandits for their sudden change of movement.
“We heard gun shots persistently on Wednesday morning even inside the rain for hours and we gathered it was a gun duel between the military and the bandits. Over 100 of the bandits were killed.”
“We commended the military and vigilantes for countering them successfully this time around,” another resident of Wushishi, Ishaku Musa Kato said.
Niger State Commissioner for Homeland and Security, General Abdullahi Bello Mohammed rtd, confirmed the incident to journalists in Minna while commending the military and vigilantes for the achievements and bravery.
He said, “The bandits will surely evacuate their injured and corpses hence nobody can confirm exactly their casualty.”
He however, advised the troops to be at alert and ensure more surveillance “because the criminals don’t accept defeat.
“We should be prepared for them incase of reprisal attacks.”