Troops detonate 14 IEDs in Borno
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Zamfara State have gunned down eight bandits during a gun duel in Fegin Kanawa village, Wonaka District of Gusau Local Council.

The encounter occurred when a joint team comprising police officers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), from Fegin Mahe village, responded to credible intelligence about an imminent bandit attack.

According to a report from the Officer-in-Charge of the Tactical Zonal Force Squad (ZFS), the security team was ambushed by the hoodlums, who had strategically positioned themselves in the area.

An exchange of gunfire ensued, leading to the neutralisation of eight of the assailants, while several others reportedly fled into the surrounding forest with gunshot wounds.

During the operation, an officer identified as Inspector Tasi’u Lawali of the 42 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Gusau, sustained gunshot injuries in his hand and mouth.

He was promptly evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Gusau, and is said to be in a stable condition. Police authorities have since launched a manhunt to track down the fleeing bandits, with intensified search operations ongoing in the area.

EQUALLY, ongoing clearance and counter-insurgency exercises in Gwoza Local Council of Borno State by troops of Operation HADIN KAI have led to the recovery and safe detonation of 14 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted in farmlands and key routes across the area.

Security expert, Zagazola Makama, citing sources, claimed that the explosives, which were discovered during intensified counter-IED (CIED) operations in Bitta and surrounding communities, were believed to have been planted by terrorists targeting civilians and security personnel.

Security sources said the IEDs were strategically buried along footpaths, farmland corridors, and access roads commonly used by locals and troops, posing a serious threat to movement and farming activities.

Specialist teams safely detonated the recovered explosives, while further clearance operations are ongoing to ensure that all possible threats are neutralised.