Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation MESA, under the 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have repelled an attempted bandit attack on Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State.
Capt. Babatunde Zubairu, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Kano on Sunday.
He said the operation followed a tip-off on the movement of bandits around Unguwan Tudu, Unguwan Tsamiya, and Goron Dutse axis of Shanono at about 5:00 p.m. on Nov. 1.
According to him, the troops, supported by other security agencies, swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the bandits in a heavy gun duel.
“The bandits, who arrived on motorcycles, sustained heavy casualties as 19 of them were neutralised during the encounter. Several motorcycles and two mobile phones were recovered from the criminals,” he said.
Zubairu added that two soldiers and one local vigilante lost their lives during the operation.
He said further clearance operations were ongoing in the general area to ensure the safety of residents and prevent further attacks on vulnerable communities.
“The Nigerian Army urges residents to remain vigilant and continue to report suspicious movements to security agencies for prompt action,” he added.
He quoted the Commander, 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Tukur, as reaffirming the army’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in Kano State in collaboration with other security agencies.
Zubairu thanked members of the public for their continuous support and cooperation with the military.