Troops of the Nigerian Army have reportedly killed no fewer than 45 suspected bandits during a fierce gun duel in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
However, three soldiers were also confirmed dead during the operation.
Security sources disclosed that the confrontation followed an earlier attack by bandits on Alhazawa village in Musawa Local Government Area, where the assailants rustled cattle belonging to residents.
According to a counter-insurgency report by security analyst, Zagazola Makama, residents of the community, assisted by some repentant bandits, resisted the attack, killing four of the gunmen and recovering the stolen cattle.
Angered by the resistance, the bandits were said to have regrouped and launched a reprisal attack on Friday.
However, the armed men reportedly ran into troops stationed at a Forward Operating Base in Dan Ali, Danmusa Local Government Area, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire.
Military sources said the troops eventually overpowered the attackers, killing 45 of them during the intense battle.
Among those reportedly killed were two bandit commanders identified as Alti and Damale.
Alti was said to be a nephew and second-in-command to notorious bandit kingpin, Adamu Alieru, who operates across several communities in the North-West.
Security sources revealed that Alti recently rose to prominence within the bandit network following the death of his brother, Kachalla Dan Isihu, who was earlier killed by security forces during counter-banditry operations.
The slain commander was believed to have coordinated several attacks on communities, particularly along the Danjibga axis in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The latest confrontation underscores the continued intensity of military operations against bandit groups terrorising communities across the North-West.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
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