Olushola Omogbehin
About eight suspected bandits have lost their lives by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which was said to have been planted along Lukope Road in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
This was disclosed on the X handle of Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region on Saturday.
According to him, the incident took place at about 8:30 p.m. on March 20 along the Kurebe–Kushaka area which is a familiar arena for armed groups operating within the forest belt.
He said the explosives which must have been put there by the bandits to target advancing troops, detonated when members of the group rode over it while moving on motorcycles.
He said “The explosion occurred as the bandits were transiting the route, leading to the instant death of about eight of them and the injury of several others.”
The troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, Sector 1, were said to have acted swiftly to the scene and intensified patrols to prevent any further security breaches.
The explosion has generaated tension among residents of Kushaka, Kurebe, Gbato, and neighbouring communities over fears of possible reprisal attack with relevant authorities approached so as to take proactive measures and strengthen security presence in the area so as to guaranteed safety of thje people.
According to DAILY POST, the bandits were believed to be loyalists of notorious bandit leader Dogo Gide and were reportedly heading towards the Lukope area.
