Bomb Planted for Troops Kills Eight Bandits in Niger State
At least eight suspected bandits have been killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) along Lukope Road in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the incident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Friday along the Kurebe–Kushaka axis, a known corridor for armed groups operating within the forest belt.
Citing sources, the publication reported that the IED believed to have been planted by the bandits to target advancing troops detonated when members of the group accidentally rode over it while travelling on motorcycles.
“The explosion occurred as the bandits were transiting the route, leading to the instant death of about eight of them and injuries to several others,” a source was quoted as saying.
The bandits were reportedly loyal to Dogo Gide, a notorious bandit leader, and were said to be heading towards the Lukope area at the time of the incident.
Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, Sector 1, were said to have responded swiftly, intensifying patrols in the area to prevent further security breaches.
The incident has heightened tension among residents of Kushaka, Kurebe, Gbato, and neighbouring communities, amid fears of possible reprisal attacks.