Troops of the Nigerian Army have reportedly killed 14 suspected bandits during a series of ambushes in Gora community, Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The operation, which took place late Tuesday night, also led to the recovery of seven motorcycles allegedly belonging to the suspected criminals.
According to local sources, the bandits had mobilised in large numbers on motorcycles to carry out an operation in the community and neighbouring areas when they encountered the military.
A source familiar with the incident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the bandits initially attempted to ambush the troops but were caught off guard by a counter-operation.
“The military operatives, aware of the bandits’ whereabouts, carried out a counter-ambush, specifically between Gora and Gidan Barau communities, and the bandits got caught in it,” the source said.
The source added that some of the surviving bandits later returned to the scene in an attempt to retrieve the bodies of their colleagues but were intercepted by troops in another ambush.
“At the end of the day, 14 of the bandits were killed, while seven motorcycles belonging to the bandits were recovered by the troops,” the source added.
Residents said the affected communities had previously experienced frequent attacks by armed groups, including kidnappings and the rustling of domestic animals.
The traditional ruler of Gora community, Alhaji Gora, and a traditional title holder in the council, Abdulaziz Sardauna, reportedly confirmed the incident.
However, the Katsina State Government, the Nigerian Army and the state Police Command had yet to issue official statements on the operation as of the time of filing this report.
