The Nigerian Army troops and Police operatives, in the early hours of yesterday, engaged armed bandits in the Rigachikun axis of the Kaduna-Zaria dual carriageway, in Igabi LGA.
According to reports, the bandits had earlier attacked a Fulani settlement belonging to a popular herder, Damina Kukumake, at Kukumake village
The bandits, who kidnapped some members of the herders family, also rustled several cattle and were making their escape when security agencies received a distress call.
The security personnel comprising troops of the Army and Nigerian Air Force, as well as Police operatives, made contact with the bandits as they attempted to cross the Kaduna-Zaria expressway. In the fierce gun duel, a notorious bandit, one Habu Bawale, was neutralized. Many other bandits escaped with bullet wounds.
During the gunfight, the abducted hostages escaped and the rustled cattle scattered. After a check, the remaining cattle were recovered, as some were confirmed to have been killed in the skirmish.
The State governor, Nasir Ahmed el-Rufa’i, who received the report, commended the troops and police operatives for the successful operation which foiled the bandits attack.
