The Kaduna state government says nine bandits’ have been killed during a gun battle between two bandit groups in the Giwa Local Government Area of the state.

Samuel Aruwan, the state commissioner for internal security and home affairs, revealed this development in a statement issued on Friday in Kaduna.

Mr Aruwan said credible human intelligence networks informed the state government of the development, further corroborated by security agencies.

“Intelligence sources had reported that a notorious bandit known as ‘Godon Mota’ stormed Garke village last Wednesday with his gang and clashed with a rival bandit group, leading to the killing of nine members.

“The cause of the fratricidal face-off is yet unclear, but was said to revolve around a disagreement over sharing of accumulated ransoms, during which one of the groups felt cheated”, Mr Aruwan explained.

The commissioner said the state government urged security agencies to sustain pressure to enable the apprehension of criminal elements in the area.

“Investigations and security patrols are ongoing,” Mr Aruwan said.