Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) have repelled an attempted incursion by armed bandits into communities in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State after hours of intense fighting.
The confrontation, which started late on Thursday, stretched into the early hours of Friday, affecting Yankwada, Babanduhu and surrounding villages.
Confirming the incident, the Nigerian Army spokesperson in Kano, Maj. Zubair Babatunde, said the assailants stormed the areas on motorcycles, firing sporadically in a bid to force their way into the communities.
He explained that the attack was a reprisal following losses reportedly suffered by the bandits during a previous encounter with troops last week.
Babatunde said the attackers arrived around 1 a.m. but were swiftly engaged by security forces.
“The troops responded promptly and effectively engaged the bandits, forcing them to retreat,” he said.
According to him, the timely response of the military prevented large-scale destruction and loss of lives, while troops have remained on high alert to forestall further threats.
He reassured residents of the military’s commitment to protecting lives and property and urged the public to continue to provide credible and timely intelligence to security agencies.
Also confirming the incident, Chairman of the Shanono/Bagwai Community Security Forum, Alhaji Yahya Bagobiri, said the bandits launched the attack in retaliation for losing several fighters in a previous clash with troops.
He said the attackers arrived in large numbers on motorcycles and attempted to overrun the villages before they were checked by military action.
Bagobiri commended the troops for preventing the attackers from advancing into major towns, adding that their intervention limited the damage.
He appealed to the Federal Government to strengthen security operations in the area through the deployment of additional personnel, improved equipment and support from the Nigerian Air Force.
According to him, enhanced military presence would help secure Shanono and neighbouring local government areas and prevent further attempts by criminal elements to breach Kano State.