…Two hybrid fighters killed, four others wounded
In a coordinated security operation, Nigerian Army troops and hybrid forces, supported by intelligence from the Department of State Services (DSS), neutralized at least 45 bandits on Friday evening in Iburu village, located in Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State.
Security sources revealed that the operation was launched after the DSS intercepted intelligence indicating that a group of armed terrorists on motorcycles were mobilizing to attack Iburu and nearby communities. The alert prompted an immediate military response.
A fierce exchange of gunfire followed, resulting in the deaths of no fewer than 45 insurgents. According to the sources, villagers reported seeing at least 40 corpses believed to be those of the assailants, in addition to several destroyed motorcycles used by the group.
Despite the success of the operation, two members of the hybrid forces lost their lives in the confrontation. Four others sustained serious gunshot wounds and are currently receiving medical attention at a government hospital in the state capital.
This latest incident follows previous warnings about rising security threats in the region. In April, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, had raised alarms over escalating terrorist activity near the Babanna border in Niger State.
At the time, Adeniyi disclosed that Customs officers narrowly escaped an ambush by terrorists who were enraged over the seizure of 500 jerrycans of petrol, allegedly meant for the insurgents.
