By Stephen Ojo
Troops of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with vigilantes have neutralized over 100 bandits around Kundu village in Wushishi local government
The troops, Krestnews reports, ambushed the criminals on Wednesday morning while 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 in Wushishi and Mashegu local government areas of Niger State where the conduct their kidnapping and cattle rustling crimes.
Krestnews further gathered 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 .
A member of the 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 reportedly killed.”
We commend 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, Retired General Abdullahi Bello Mohammed 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 surveillance because the criminals doesn’t accept defeat, adding that, “we should be prepared for them incase of reprisal attacks”.