By Correspondent in Kano.
Heavy gun battles were said to have erupted between Nigerian troops and heavily armed bandits who stormed several villages in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State on Thursday night, with the fighting lasting until about 5 a.m. on Friday.
Our correspondent gathered that the affected communities include Yankwada, Babanduhu and neighbouring villages, where residents were thrown into panic as the attackers arrived in large numbers.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Shanono/Bagwai Community Security Forum, Alhaji Yahya Bagobiri, said the bandits, who rode on more than 50 motorcycles, launched the attack in apparent retaliation for recent military operations that reportedly killed nine of their fighters last week.
According to him, each motorcycle carried about three armed men, many of them wielding heavy weapons, including bazookas and other high-calibre firearms.
“The bandits raided Yankwada, Babanduhu and other villages, opening fire from around 1 a.m. on Thursday until about 5 a.m. on Friday. During the attack, one civilian was killed,” Bagobiri said.
He, however, commended the military for standing their ground and preventing the bandits from advancing into major towns, despite being outgunned.
“The military tactically engaged the bandits and succeeded in dislodging them. Although the attackers came with heavy weapons, they managed only to steal about 100 cows and kill one civilian,” he added.
Bagobiri appealed to the Federal Government to strengthen security in the area by providing more weapons and deploying additional troops to support the personnel currently on the ground.
He expressed optimism that with improved firepower and the support of the Nigerian Air Force, bandit activities could be effectively contained in Shanono, Bagwai, Tsanyawa and Gwarzo local government areas and the country at large.
“The intention of the bandits is to penetrate Kano State, but the redeployment of more troops and the provision of adequate arms will stop their criminal mission,” he assured.
–DailyPost.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
