Three bandits were killed by 1 Division soldiers in Kaduna State's Sabon Birni, Dogondawa-Kuyelo, and Farin Ruwa regions.
The bandits were neutralised during an operation on Saturday, according to a statement released on Sunday by Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations.
Despite the fact that Nwachukwu was unable to establish the precise number of bandits that attacked the troops, he nonetheless claimed that the event was related to the army's intensified efforts to eradicate terrorism and banditry in the north-western region.
Two AK-47 rifles, nine magazines, seven Baofeng communication radios, one Tecno mobile phone, 120 rounds of special 7.62 mm ammunition, a power generator, and a motorcycle were all taken from the culprits.
“The dogged and highly motivated troops, while on a fighting patrol, came in contact with an unconfirmed number of bandits,” the statement read.
“The troops in the ensuing shoot out, eliminated 3 of the terrorists and recovered two AK 47 rifles, nine magazines, seven Baofeng communication radios, one Tecno mobile phone, 120 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, one power generator and a motorcycle.
In response, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), praised the soldiers for their bravery and urged them to continue their efforts until the banditry in the area was completely eliminated.
Similar to this, Maj Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, the general officer commanding 1 Division, urged all law-abiding individuals to continue providing the military and other security services with reliable and usable intelligence.
According to Lagbaja, the information will help the soldiers in their operations against the criminal groups.
Kaduna is one of the states worst hit by banditry who have unleashed several attacks, killing people while kidnapping several others.