Six persons were killed on Wednesday when troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army engaged suspected bandits in a gunfight in Zamfara State.
The Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Officer, Colonel Muhammad Dole, said this in a statement.
He said the troops under Operation Whirl Punch got engaged in the fight with the bandits when they got wind of an armed robbery operation along the Birnin Gwari – Funtua road and eventually killed five of them.
Dole further stated that a notorious bandit that had been terrorizing residents of Zamfara identified as Sani Danbuzuwa, was among those killed while another notorious criminal was also arrested.
Several arms and other dangerous weapons were equally recovered from the criminals.
While exchanging gunfire, however, one soldier also lost his life and two others were injured.
But the army spokesperson assured residents that the troops remain committed and determined to ensuring the safety of commuters along the Kaduna – Abuja and Kaduna – Birnin Gwari highways, as well as the towns and villages.