One bandit was killed and several others escaped with bullet wounds as troops of Nigerian Army and police operatives on Friday engaged bandits in the Rigachikun axis of the Kaduna-Zaria dual carriage way in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Confirming the report, the State Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the bandits had earlier attacked a Fulani settlement belonging to a popular herder, Damina Kukumake, at Kukumake village.
He added that the bandits who kidnapped some members of the herder’s family, also rustled several cattle and were making their escape when security agencies received a distress call.
Aruwan said the security operatives comprising troops of the army and air force, as well as police operatives, made contact with the bandits as they attempted to cross the Kaduna-Zaria expressway.
He said, a notorious bandit, one Habu Bawale, was neutralized in the fierce gun duel and many other bandits escaped with bullet wounds.
Aruwan also explained that the abducted hostages escaped and the rustled cattle scattered during the gunfight.
He said the remaining cattle were recovered as some were confirmed to have been killed in the skirmish, adding that troops and police operatives are now combing the general area in an clearance operation.
Aruwan said Governor Nasir el-Rufai who received the report, commended the troops and police operatives for the successful operation which foiled the bandits’ attack.
He praised their spirited efforts in neutralizing one of the bandits, and enabling the escape of the kidnapped citizens.
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