By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
20 soldiers have reportedly be killed in battle with bandits in Bangi area of Niger state.
It is also reported that several bandits were neutralised by the military personnel in the deadly battle on Tuesday at about 11pm.
It was learnt that the bandits were following their usual route to carry out their criminal activities of kidnapping, and cattle rustling before the military got information about the movement .
When contacted, the Chairman Mariga local government of Niger state , Alhaji Abbas Kasuwa Garba confirmed the incident, saying that the incident occurred in two separate communities which included Konan Dutse Kaiyan Ghana closed to Bangi,.
He said, “the two incidents occurred around eleven o’clock in the night and at Gulmin Boka around five o’clock in the evening same day”.
According to him, “17 bodies of soldiers have been retrieve from the forest and deposited at Kontagora barracks as vigilantes and other security operatives are still searching and trailing the criminals”.
He explained that several bandits were neutralized in the process, adding that, “we are however concern and pained by the lost of our gallant security officers”. Commended the efforts of the Air Force in countering the criminals, the Chairman urged the people to report suspected movement to authorities adding that they should remain calm as government is doing everything possible to ensure peace and stability in the area.
No other official statement have been issued by the state government and security agencies in the state as at the time of filing this report
