At least 11 military officials have been killed in a gun battle with gun runners and armed bandits at different locations in Niger State, north-western Nigeria, a military official said on Sunday.
Eight of the armed bandits were also killed in the shootout while 57 others were arrested.
Spokesman for the Nigerian Army, Colonel Sani Usman, said that the attack occurred during cordon and search in different locations following covert surveillance and intelligence reports on the activities of some gun runners and armed bandits in Kopa, Dagma and Gagaw villages of Bosso Local Government Area, Niger State.
“The troops were on legitimate official duty aimed at safeguarding lives and property of citizen in the area.
“While approaching and deploying to carry out their lawful duty, the troops came under simultaneous and sporadic shootings in all the three locations.
They, however, responded as necessary in line with the rules of engagement.
“Sadly, an officer and eight soldiers of the Nigerian Army and two Airmen of the Nigeria Air Force lost their lives in the line of national duty,” a statement by Colonel Usman said.
He stated that “one soldier is still missing” while two of their colleagues were seriously wounded.
Colonel Usman said that the troops killed eight of the armed bandits and arrested 57 others while large quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered.
The recovered items include; three AK-47 rifles, 10 Local AK-47 Rifles, nine Locally made Pistols, six Revolver guns, which fires 7.62mm (Special ammunition), 45 Loaded Dane guns, 10 Clubs and Cudgels, 41 Arrows, 18 Bow cases, 122 Cutlasses and Machetes as well as 20 Daggers.
Other items are 31 Axes, 63 rounds of 7.62 (Special) Ammunition, 10 Bajaj Motorcycles, Assorted Charms and Amulets, two Vehicles, 38 mobile telephone handsets, a wristwatch, five Identity Cards, Passport Photographs, Cash sum of 23,870 Naira, five Japanese Yen and 35 different denominations of old Nigerian currency, 15 Catapults, eight Torchlights, two Gun Powder bottles, four empty cases of Ammunition and 41 Cartridges.
The troops also seized a military Waist Belt and a pair of military Combat Boots.
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