Troops of the Nigerian Army, alongside operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and local volunteer forces, have foiled a large-scale bandit attack in Niger State, killing several of the assailants.
The attempted assault targeted Bagna and Erena communities in Shiroro Local Government Area, where over 300 armed bandits reportedly advanced on motorcycles in what authorities described as a coordinated operation.
Security sources said the successful interception was made possible through actionable intelligence, which enabled operatives to prepare and lay an ambush ahead of the attackers’ arrival.
According to the source, the joint forces engaged the bandits in a gun battle, neutralising many of them, while others fled towards the Makuba and Allawa axis.
The operation highlights growing coordination between security agencies and local volunteer groups, a strategy that has strengthened community-level defence and improved response times in vulnerable areas.
Residents of the affected communities praised the swift intervention, noting that the joint effort prevented what could have been a devastating attack.
Authorities say the continued collaboration between formal security forces and local vigilantes remains critical in tackling banditry and restoring stability across affected regions.
