Many bandits were killed in a gun battle with the military at Kuzari Village in Sabon Birni Local Government of Sokoto State on Tuesday.
One soldier was reportedly shot in the leg and had been taken to the military facility in Sokoto metropolis for treatment.
A reliable source told Daily Trust, that the military was able to recover several weapons and motorcycles from the bandits.
The motorcycles were later set ablaze in the village.
One of the operatives, who participated in the operation, said the bandits were revelling at their latest exploit when they engaged them.
“We were on a routine patrol of the troubled areas in Sabon Birnin when all of a sudden we ran into them at Kuzari Village under Kurawa Ward.
“The military engaged them in a gun duel, which lasted for over an hour before they succumbed to their superior power and ran away.
“The operatives also went after them and in the process killed several of them, recovered their weapons and motorcycles. The motorcycles were later assembled in one place and burnt down,” he said.
He said over 10 motorcycles were recovered, adding that one soldier shot on the leg was responding to treatment at a military hospital in Sokoto.
He, however, could not give the exact number of the bandits killed, saying only the locals could say this after recovering their bodies in the bush.
Sabon Birni has been experiencing bandits’ attacks for years as a result of which several residents were killed, raped or abducted.
Over 50,000 people were said to have been displaced by the bandits some of whom are taking refuge in the neighbouring Niger Republic.
Another reliable source confirmed to Daily Trust that, father, mother and wife of Bokkolo, a notorious bandits’ kingpin operating along the Isa-Sabon Birni axis were killed in last week’s airstrike by the Nigerian Air force.
It was also gathered that the kingpin survived the attack but many of his boys were killed during the raid which took place last Saturday.
