At least 45 suspected bandits were killed after Nigerian troops engaged armed groups in a fierce gun battle in the Danmusa area of Katsina State, authorities said on Saturday.
The Katsina State Government confirmed the development in a statement, describing the clash as part of ongoing military operations aimed at restoring security across communities plagued by bandit attacks.
The operation took place in the Danmusa local government area of Katsina State in northwestern Nigeria, a region that has faced persistent violence from armed criminal groups responsible for kidnappings, cattle rustling and attacks on rural settlements.
According to officials, troops of the Nigerian Army confronted a large group of bandits during an ongoing security sweep in the area, leading to a heavy exchange of gunfire.
Security forces reportedly overpowered the attackers, killing dozens of them and forcing the rest to flee into nearby forests.
Authorities said the clash forms part of intensified operations against bandit groups operating across northwestern Nigeria, where security forces have stepped up raids on criminal hideouts.
Katsina State, the home state of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has been one of the hardest-hit regions by banditry in recent years, with rural communities frequently targeted by armed gangs.
These groups often carry out kidnappings for ransom, raid villages and attack security personnel.
The state government praised the troops for their efforts and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting security agencies in restoring peace across affected communities.
Officials said operations would continue in the region to track down fleeing bandits and dismantle remaining criminal networks.
Residents have also been urged to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible intelligence that could help locate armed groups and prevent further attacks.
The latest clash underscores the continuing security challenge facing authorities in Nigeria’s northwest, where bandit groups remain active despite sustained military operations.
