Soldiers of the Nigerian Army have killed 11 bandits in a fierce battle in the Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

This was as another seven bandits were killed in Niger State.

The troops, according to the Kaduna State  Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, cleared several camps of the hoodlums across nine communities in the local government area.

Although he was silent on when the incident happened, the commissioner also disclosed that troops “recovered two AK-47 rifles, two AK-47 magazines and 57 rounds of ammunition” as well as “six motorcycles belonging to the bandits were destroyed during the encounter.”

He said, “Troops and special forces of the Nigerian Army have neutralised 11 bandits in a fierce battle which took place during fighting patrols in Birnin Gwari LG.

“Operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government revealed that the troops advanced to several identified locations, and cleared bandit camps in Bagoma, Rema, Bugai, Dagara, Sabon Layi, Gagumi, Kakangi, Katakaki, and Randagi.

“In the course of these operations, the forces made contact with bandits at Kakangi and Katakaki. A fierce gun battle followed, after which the criminals were subdued by the troops’ aggressive firepower. Eleven bandits were confirmed neutralised, as others fled.”