Troops Repels Over 400 Bandits in Kebbi, Recovers Weapons After Fierce Gun Battle

• Over 400 armed bandits attempted to overrun Ribah town in Kebbi State but were repelled by troops of the Nigerian Army’s 223 Light Battalion after a fierce gun battle.
• Several bandits were killed, with some bodies evacuated by retreating attackers, while others and their weapons were abandoned at the scene.
• Airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force played a critical role in halting the attackers, who were believed to have previously struck in Niger State.

Troops of the 223 Light Battalion of the Nigerian Army stationed in Zuru, Kebbi State, have successfully repelled a massive attack on Ribah town in the Danko Wasagu Local Government Area.

The assault, launched by more than 400 armed bandits, was met with stiff resistance from the soldiers, resulting in heavy casualties on the side of the attackers.

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According to reports, the troops engaged the insurgents in a prolonged firefight, leaving several bandits dead. While some of the invaders managed to evacuate the bodies of their slain comrades, many were left behind, along with a cache of weapons recovered at the scene.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Yahaya Sarki, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Kebbi State Governor, confirmed the incident and praised the efforts of the security forces.

Speaking in Birnin Kebbi, the state’s Director of Security at the Cabinet Office, Alhaji AbdulRahman Zagga, lauded the army’s swift and decisive response.

“Though the gunfire caused initial panic and confusion within the community, the situation has since been brought under control and normalcy fully restored,” Zagga said.

He noted that despite the attackers’ numerical strength, the Nigerian Army was able to turn the tide using superior tactics, firepower, and determination. He also acknowledged the Nigerian Air Force’s vital role in the operation, revealing that airstrikes delivered heavy blows to the retreating bandits.

Zagga added that the same group of criminals was believed to have earlier launched an assault in Niger State before crossing into Kebbi to execute another attack.

“They had crossed into Kebbi to carry out another attack, which was ultimately foiled, an outcome that highlights the effectiveness of the proactive security measures put in place by Governor Nasir Idris,” he stated.

Three individuals, including two palace officials, have been kidnapped by bandits in Bunyun community, located in Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State.

The attack, which occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, left several houses burned and has been linked to a previous confrontation between local vigilantes and bandits last Sunday. That earlier clash reportedly resulted in multiple deaths and the destruction of properties.

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