Troops of the Nigerian Army on Thursday foiled a bandit infiltration attempt along the Niger–Kwara axis, killing two assailants and recovering arms and ammunition.
The incident occurred at about 2:50 a.m. when bandits attempted to infiltrate Babana, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, where troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade are deployed at a Forward Operating Base (FOB).
Acting on intelligence, the soldiers engaged the criminals in a fierce gun duel, forcing them to flee in disarray. A follow-up operation along the withdrawal route led to the killing of two bandits on the outskirts of Babana town.
During the mop-up operation, the Army recovered an AK-47 rifle, four magazines loaded with 60 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, 323 rounds of 7.62 x 54 mm ammunition, and a mobile phone.
However, the clash left one officer and one soldier wounded in the legs. Both victims are currently responding to treatment, according to military authorities.
Captain Stephen Nwankwo, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 22 Armoured Brigade, confirmed the development, noting that superior firepower from the troops overwhelmed the bandits and prevented them from gaining access to local communities.
The Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Ezra Barkins, commended the troops for their bravery and resilience. He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to intensifying clearance operations across Niger State and beyond to dismantle criminal networks threatening the safety of citizens.
Residents of Babana and surrounding villages were reassured that the military would sustain its vigilance to ensure peace and security in the Niger–Kwara corridor, which has witnessed repeated bandit incursions in recent months.