Troops battle hundreds of bandits on Kebbi-Zamfara border

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By Haruna Aliyu, Birnin Kebbi

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BIRNIN KEBBI — Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, are currently engaged in a fierce gun battle with hundreds of armed bandits along the Kebbi-Zamfara border.

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The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olayinka Osoba, disclosed this in a telephone interview with our correspondent.

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Osoba said more than 200 bandits, riding motorcycles, had mobilised to attack some communities in Kebbi State but were engaged by troops in an effort to repel the planned assault.

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He said the operation was ongoing and declined to provide details that could compromise the military operation.

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“It is an ongoing operation. We cannot give details because it will compromise the operation. However, we will give details after the intense fighting going on right now,” he said.

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The Army spokesman added that ground troops, supported by the Nigerian Air Force component, were currently engaging the bandits who were attempting to gain access to communities in Kebbi State.

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According to him, the bandits had organised themselves to launch attacks on unsuspecting villagers.

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Communities identified as possible targets include Gadar Zaima in the northern part of Zuru Emirate, while Onashi and Mai Rairai in the southern part of the emirate have also reportedly suffered spillover attacks from Zamfara State.

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The military is expected to provide further details on the operation after the ongoing engagement.

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