Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with hybrid forces and backed by intelligence from the Department of State Services (DSS), on Friday neutralized at least 45 bandits in Iburu village, in the Shiroro LGA of Niger State. According to security sources, the DSS intercepted intelligence on the armed terrorists, travelling on motorcycles to launch attacks on Iburu and nearby communities.
The information was promptly relayed to military units already on alert, resulting in the deaths of at least 45 of the assailants, in addition to numerous motorcycles destroyed during the fierce gun battle.
It was also confirmed that two members of the hybrid forces lost their lives in the operation. In contrast, four others sustained severe gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatment at a government hospital in the state capital.
It will be recalled that in April, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, raised concerns over heightened terrorist activity near the Babanna border in Niger State. He revealed that Customs officers narrowly escaped an ambush by terrorists, who were reportedly enraged over the confiscation of 500 jerrycans of petrol intended for them by smugglers.