Troops of the Nigerian army, supported by hybrid forces and critical intelligence from the Department of State Services (DSS), have reportedly killed at least 45 bandits in a gun battle in Iburu village, Shiroro LGA of Niger state.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the joint operation was launched on Friday evening after the DSS intercepted intelligence about a large group of terrorists advancing on motorcycles to attack Iburu and neighbouring communities.

The publication said the terrorists split into smaller groups under the cover of dusk, attempting to encircle the village.

However, troops on standby were said to have ambushed them, with a sustained firefight that lasted several hours.

Zagazola said after the clash, troops counted at least 40 dead bandits at the scene, with dozens of motorcycles destroyed.

Two members of the hybrid forces reportedly lost their lives, while four others were seriously wounded and are receiving treatment at a hospital in Minna, the state capital.

The operation is part of ongoing efforts to secure communities in Niger state, particularly in the volatile Shiroro-Munya axis, which has become a stronghold for criminal groups.

In April, Bashir Adeniyi, the comptroller general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), warned of escalating terrorist activity near the Babanna border area of Niger state.

When Gong-news contacted Onyinyechi Anele, the spokesperson for the Nigerian army, she couldn’t confirm the details of the incident.