Bandits on Wednesday lay in ambush for soldiers in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing three of them, Daily Trust has learnt.

Residents said the armed men ambushed the vehicle of the troops while on their way to repel attacks on Fanda-Haki, Yar Katsina and Karrakkai communities by the criminals.

“The soldiers were informed of the impending attack on the communities and they decided to move there to stop the attack but the moving vehicles of the soldiers suddenly came under fire by the armed criminals,” a resident Hussaini Ali said.

However, residents said the soldiers fought back and killed several gunmen adding that the heavy gunfire from soldiers forced the assailants to retreat.

“Thursday is a market day in Bingi community but traders and buyers have decided to restrict their movements in the area for fear of the unknown. This is because the anger of these armed men might have been provoked because of the casualties they suffered too,” Ali added.

The spokesman of the military in the state, Captain Ibrahim Yahaya, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report as his mobile line was switched off.(Daily Trust:Text, excluding headline)