Police command in Niger says bandits’ attack on Munya, Shiroro and Paikoro local government areas of Niger state was foiled on Sunday.

The police and a joint task force including the Nigerian Army, NSCDC and SSS foiled the attack, said police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun.

He said scores of the bandits escaped with gun wounds while the team recovered several cattle.

Mr Abiodun said the police received information on May 15 that suspected armed bandits were sighted at Zazagha and Injita villages of Munya LGA.

According to him, tactical security teams were immediately drafted to the area and discovered that the bandits had divided themselves into different groups. Some of them moved to the Fuka and Daza villages of Munya LGA.

“The tactical teams advanced to the areas where the hoodlums were fiercely engaged in a gun battle and repelled. The hoodlums later extended to Gwalo village, Paikoro LGA and the joint team responded swiftly, with the recovery of cattle from them,” said the police.

Mr Abiodun added that reinforcements were sent to Mutun-Daya village via Gwada, Shiroro LGA upon receiving information that another group was sighted in the area.

“The bandits were equally engaged in a gun duel and some of them were neutralised, while others escaped into the forest with gunshot injuries,” he stated.

(NAN)