Personnel of the Nigerian Army and hybrid forces, backed by intelligence support from the Department of State Services (DSS), on Friday evening, in Iburu village, Shiroro Local Council of Niger State, killed no less than 45 bandits terrorising the area.

Security sources disclosed that the secret police, on intercepting intelligence that the terrorists riding several motorcycles were advancing to attack Iburu and neighbouring villages, quickly alerted soldiers on standby.

According to the sources, a gunfight ensued with the troops killing no fewer than 45 terrorists.

The sources quoted the villagers as saying they counted at least 40 dead bodies believed to be those of the bandits. They also counted dozens of the bandits’ motorcycles destroyed during the duel.

The sources added that two members of the hybrid forces fighting alongside soldiers lost their lives, while four others were said to be receiving treatment for serious gunshot injuries at a public hospital in the state capital.

Recall that in April, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, raised the alarm about terrorist activities around the Babanna border in Niger State.

He said his men were lucky to have survived an ambush by the terrorists, who were angered by the seizure of 500 jerrycans of petrol.

RELATEDLY, the Katsina government has said more than 130 security operatives have lost their lives while combating banditry and related criminality in the state.

The state government also said 12 council areas have largely been insulated from banditry attacks, with nine others still having pockets of insecurity, while four others were still experiencing attacks.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Muazu, made this known in a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday night.

He said more than 100 members of the state government-owned Community Watch Corps (CWC), 30 police officers and several soldiers lost their lives tackling insecurity in the state.

The commissioner stated that security operatives who paid the supreme price deserved some respect, particularly from people trying to create panic and incite fear by spreading false and misleading information on social media about the security situation in the state.

He said these people are bent on downplaying the significant progress made so far in the fight against banditry and insecurity in Katsina.