An unnamed bandits’ leader was killed yesterday morning by joint security operatives at Tegina in Rafi local government area of Niger State.
LEADERSHIP gathered that in the process, two men of the Joint Security Operatives were reportedly shot by the bandits in a gun duel.
An eyewitness account revealed that the bandits came for reprisal to the joint security operatives based in Tegina in the early hours of Monday after their leader was killed.
It was learnt that the leader of the bandits was killed when they were allegedly crossing towards Mashegu and Wushishi local government areas of the state to rustle cattle and abduct villagers.
The account of the incident revealed that the Joint Security Operatives acting on tip-off launched an attack on the bandits to stop them from rustling cattle and abducting the villagers.
The chairman of Rafi local government area, Alhaji Ayuba Usman Katako, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview while lauding the gallantry of the security men.
He confirmed that two of the security operatives shot were responding to treatment at IBB Specialized Hospital Minna while one of the bandits suspected to be their leader was killed.
Ayuba Katako said the military, police, and vigilantes were trying their best in the fight against banditry and deserved to be commended.
He decried the continuous ambush on the security operatives. He noted that the menace of insecurity bedevilling the state and Nigeria at large would be overcome with patience, support and prayers.
