A combined team of the Department of State Services (DSS) and troops of the Nigerian Army have dealt a devastating blow on bandits in Niger state.
In the ensuing duel, the team neutralised over 50 of the criminal elements and rescued kidnapped victims in Mariga local government area of the state.
The incident reportedly occurred Wednesday August 26, 2025 in Kumbashi village with the locals hailing the feat as one of the most successful security interventions in recent times.
Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji, representing the Mashegu state constituency, confirmed the development.
He described the operation as “a demonstration of superior intelligence, training and firepower by the security agencies.”
While commending the operatives for their courage, Sarkin-Daji said eyewitnesses from Kumbashi told Zagazola Makama that about 300 bandits, armed with sophisticated weapons, attempted to invade the village at about 3 pm Tuesday.
“The attack was targeted at DSS service asset camp in the area. However, security operatives swiftly repelled the assault after a fierce gun duel that left no fewer than 50 of the assailants dead. Several others reportedly fled with gunshot wounds.
“My constituents confirmed that the bandits, clearly shaken by the scale of their losses, were seen dismembering the corpses of their dead colleagues, loading them in sacks, and hauling them off on motorcycles,” Sarkin-Daji said.
Local sources in Kumbashi further corroborated the lawmaker’s position.
They said the success of the operation was particularly inspiring, adding: “They stood firm when hundreds of bandits surrounded them. If not for their bravery, Kumbashi would have been wiped out.”
The speaker urged residents of the state to continue supporting security agencies with timely information to sustain the momentum against the criminal groups.
He assured that the state House of Assembly would continue to provide legislative backing to enhance security interventions in the state.
Meanwhile, Blueprint gathered that the troop’s onslaught in Mariga local government forced the fleeing bandits to find their old route to Zungeru, as they were seen in large numbers around Akere in Wushishi local government area of the state.
Community sources noted that the armed miscreants, at about 10 am of Thursday, blocked Minna/ Kontagora highway at Kundu, their usual route, crossing to Mashegu local government area of the state.
It was gathered that the bandits shot three people killing one civilian and a vigilante while the other civilian was rushed to the hospital for medical treatment
A community leader who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated that “this is the first time in history to see such influx of over 1000 bandits carrying sophisticated weapons trooping into the area in Niger state.
“The tension of threat is enormous; the entire communities in that axis have been stranded in Zungeru town including children, women, pregnant women and older persons.”
The community leader, however, appealed to the state and federal governments to immediately deploy security operatives to protect and safeguard the area so that residents can return to their various communities
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SUPOL Wasiu Abiodun, promised to verify from Zungeru axis before speaking on the matter.
…COAS reassures
In a related development, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has assured that the Nigerian Army would step up operations to further secure Katsina state and the entire Nigerian space.
A statement Thursday by Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lt.- Col. Appolonia Anele, disclosed that the COAS gave the assurance during a visit to the Acting Katsina state Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe, at the Government House Katsina.
Blueprint reports that the COAS was in Katsina to commiserate with the government and people of the state over the recent banditry attacks.
Oluyede emphasised that immediate and improved measures would be put in place to ensure such unfortunate incidents, which resulted in the loss of lives and property, do not reoccur.
He appealed to the good people of Katsina to cooperate with security agencies in the collective effort to defeat bandits and make the Nigerian space safer for all citizens.
In his response, Acting Governor Jobe expressed appreciation for the COAS’ visit, and assured of the continued support of the government and people of the state to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.
He recalled the state government’s heavy investment in the security sector and pledged to sustain such investments in order to rid the state of all forms of criminality.
He also lauded the efforts of the Nigerian Army in mitigating security challenges in the state, noting with satisfaction their commitment to duty and timely response to distress calls.
Jobe further appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to providing security for the state and Nigeria at large.