By ABUBAKAR AUWAL

Several bandits were killed during a gun duel with the military at Katanga village in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto state on Thursday.

Daily Trust gathered that the village was under the control of bandits before the confrontation.

A local told Daily Trust that Katanga and Satiru were hitherto under the control of bandits loyal to Bello Turji.

A vigilante, who was part of the operation, said it was led by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division of the Nigerian Army and the team consiste- of other high ranking officers, including the Garrison Commander of the division.

“Over 20 vehicles stormed the enclave, we fought them for several hours, in fact it took the intervention of fighter jets to force them to retreat and succumbed to our might.

“It’s too early for me to tell the number of the terrorists killed during the encounter, but there is no a single casualty on our own side. So the operation is successiful,” he said.

A resident of Isa town, told our reporter that several bandits were sighted moving towards the area to support their men during the encounter.

“But from the information that has been reaching us, they were dealt mercilessly by the military.

“As I am talking to you, the GOC and his men are still combing our bushes in search of the bandits hideouts,” he said.

According to a military source, the GOC had vowed not to come back until they clear all their enclaves in the eastern parts of Sokoto.

“He is a man of commitment who doesn’t want a blemish record. He is there leading the troop in the bush,” the source added.

Meanwhile, the federal government has distributed relief materials to victims of banditry in the state.

The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Mustapha Habib, said the items were immediate and interim supports to cushion the hardships faced by the victims. (Daily Trust)

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