Troops, DSS Foil Attacks On Niger Communities, Kill Bandits

Troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and local volunteer forces have foiled what locals said would have been a large-scale attack by bandits on Bagna and Erena communities in Shiroro local government area  of Niger State.

Security sources disclosed that the move by the operatives followed advance intelligence on the planned attack.

According to the sources, as bandits in their numbers made to storm Bagna and Erene communities, the security operatives and volunteers ambushed them, killing scores of the attackers.

“Over 300 bandits armed with dangerous weapons and on motorcycles, we’re heading to the communities. Unfortunately for them, security operatives and local vigilantes, who had credible intelligence on their movements, ambushed them. Scores were killed while many others fled toward the Makuba and Allawa axis,” the sources said.

“We are witnessing an increase in collaboration between security agencies and local volunteer forces. This has helped bridge security gaps and made the first line of defence against insecurity highly effective. Their actions have helped strengthen security in several communities across the country,” the sources added.

Residents of the communities expressed gratitude to the security operatives and volunteer forces, noting that their gallantry saved them from what would have been a major disaster.

One of the residents who spoke to journalists, John Enoch, said, “We are very happy. We thank the joint security forces for protecting us.”