Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Israel Ebije, confirmed the military action which commenced last week.
He said soldiers were deployed to the area following consistent attacks on villagers by armed bandits.
“The security agencies have done a very good job and we want to thank them for restoring peace to the area. We appreciate the efforts of our security agencies in this regard,” he said.
Over 45 armed bandits were reported to have attacked Aza and Kintako communities in Lapai Local Government Area, before the deployment of soldiers.
Daily Trust got in touch with a resident of Abugi village, Mallam Yunusa Abugi, who said the bandits were first noticed about two weeks ago in neighbouring Fada village. He said they could not make out how about 50 bandits arrived in the area, raising tension among residents, especially as reports said they were raping women in farms. Vigilante groups launched an attack, forcing them into nearby bushes. Abugi said the situation went out of hand when they robbed residents of Fada village. At the filling this report, the state police spokesman, DSP Ibrahim Gambari, could not react to the development.