An Army officer and a police officer were killed while several residents were abducted during a deadly bandit attack on Kasuwar Daji village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The attack reportedly occurred around 1:40 a.m. on Sunday when heavily armed bandits stormed the community, firing indiscriminately and moving from house to house in search of victims. Residents fled in panic as the attackers abducted scores of people.
A resident, Musa Garba, said more than 70 villagers were taken away during the raid. According to him, troops, police personnel and local vigilantes fought back in an attempt to repel the attackers but were outnumbered by the large group of bandits.
Garba praised the efforts of the security personnel but said the attackers managed to escape into the forest with many captives. He described the incident as one of the worst the community had experienced, with women and children left stranded as gunfire echoed across the village.
The Nigerian Army, however, said troops mounted a fierce resistance that forced the attackers to retreat. In a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, the military said reinforcements pursued the fleeing terrorists after the initial exchange of gunfire.
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The Army confirmed that nine abducted civilians were rescued during the operation, while one Army officer and one police officer lost their lives in the firefight. Two soldiers also sustained gunshot injuries and were evacuated for advanced medical treatment. They are reported to be in stable condition.
Military authorities said troops have secured the area and are continuing clearance operations to track down the fleeing bandits, rescue remaining victims and prevent further attacks. The Army also reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations against terrorist groups across the North-West until peace is restored.
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