Troops and special forces of the Nigerian Army have made further gains as they neutralised nine bandits during fierce battles in some locations in the Giwa local government area in Kaduna.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday in Kaduna.

Mr Aruwan said the development was disclosed in feedback to the Kaduna government that the troops cleared a bandit camp at a river line around Rafin Sarki and killed five bandits while many others fled.

He said in another leg of the fierce encounter, the troops and special forces cleared a hideout around Galadimawa forest, where four bandits were engaged and killed.

According to him, the troops rescued more than a dozen kidnapped women and children.

“On clearing the camp, the combat-ready officers and men recovered five locally made firearms, five rounds of ammunition, four cartridges, a radio and charger, and one military jungle hat,” said the statement.

The commissioner added that Governor Nasir El-Rufai praised the consistent efforts of the military.

“The state government hereby appeals to citizens to continue to volunteer information on bandits, their hideouts, as well as their informants and logistics, via the phone lines: 09034000060, 08170189999,” said Mr Aruwan.

(NAN)