Troops neutralise bandits in Niger State, recover arms and ammunition

Troops of 22 Armoured Brigade deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Babana in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State have neutralised two bandits and recovered arms and ammunition. 

Capt. Stephen Nwankwo, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 22 Armoured Brigade, made this known in a statement on Thursday, August 28, 2025 in Ilorin. 

He said the operation took place at about 2:50 a.m. when vigilant troops engaged armed bandits attempting to infiltrate the Babana axis.

According to him, the criminals were overpowered with superior firepower, forcing them to withdraw in disarray. 

He added that during a follow-up operation along the bandits’ withdrawal route, the troops neutralised two of them on the outskirts of Babana town. 

Items recovered from the operation include one AK-47 rifle, four AK-47 magazines loaded with 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 323 rounds of 7.62x54mm ammunition, and a mobile phone. 

Nwankwo, however, said an officer and a soldier sustained gunshot injuries to their legs during the encounter, but both were responding to treatment. 

He said the remains of the neutralised bandits had been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action. 

The spokesman quoted the Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Ezra Barkins, as commending the troops for their vigilance, resilience, and doggedness. 

He reaffirmed the brigade’s determination to intensify operations and employ all legitimate means to eradicate criminal elements while safeguarding lives and property of law-abiding citizens within the joint operations area.