Niger Firefight Claims 30 Bandits, 11 Soldiers

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

Following the war of gun battle between soldiers and bandits in Zunguru , Wushahi Local Government Area of Niger State, no less than 11 military personnel and unconfirmed numbers of local vigilantes were killed.

According to report, eight other soldiers sustained severe injuries, while 30 bandits were killed.

It was reported that the incident which occured on Sunday, was followed by a distress call from Akare community where the bandits, numbering about 70 armed with weapons were rustling cattle.

A community source maintained that 30 bandits were neutralized during the gun battle and their bodies were abandoned in the forest.

Following this development, residents of the area were forced to desert their homes and seek refuge in Zungeru.

However, the deceased soldiers bodies had been moved to the Federal Medical Center Zunguru.

As at time of report, no official statement from Ministry of Internal Security or the Director of Communication of the Nigeria Army