From Yakubu Mustapha Minna
Over 20 solders were reportedly killed while several suspected bandits were neutralized during exchange of gun fire in Bangi community of Mariga local government area of Niger state.
It was gathered that the incident occurred on Tuesday around eleven o’clock in the night when the soldiers got wind of their movement towards the Bangi community of the council.
According to sources, the bandits were following their usual route to effect attacks before the incident happened.
When contacted, the Chairman Mariga local government of Niger state Alhaji Abbas Kasuwa Garba confirmed the incident, saying it occurred in two separate communities of Konan Dutse Kaiyan Ghana closed to Bangi around eleven o’clock in the night and Gulmin Boka around five o’clock in the evening same day.
Kasuwa Garba confirmed that 17 military bodies have been recovered from the forest and deposited at Kontagora barracks as vigilantes and other security operatives are still searching and trailing the criminals.
He explained that several bandits were neutralized in the process.
He commended the efforts of the Air Force in the countering of the criminals and urged the people to report suspected movement to authorities.
The chairman advised the residents to remain calm and peaceful as government is doing everything possible to ensure peace and stability in the area.
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