The Nigerian Army has neutralised eleven suspected terrorists during a fierce confrontation in Gatawa, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, following a deadly attack on the community over the weekend.

The operation was carried out by troops of Operation Fansa Yanma, who launched a backup mission after receiving a distress call from personnel stationed in the area. The reinforcement team, led by a senior army officer, engaged the armed men in a heavy gun battle, killing eleven of them.

A reliable military source confirmed the incident, noting that the troops recorded no casualty during the operation. According to him the terrorists suffered a heavy defeat.

“Our men overpowered them and neutralised eleven although he was not authorised to speak officially”

The intervention followed an attack in Gatawa on Saturday, where suspected bandits killed five vigilante members. One of the injured victims is still in critical condition.

Residents earlier told reporters that the attackers invaded the community around 1:30 a.m., shooting sporadically before local vigilantes attempted to repel them.

Four vigilante operatives were killed on the spot, while two others sustained gunshot wounds after which one later died in hospital, bringing the death toll to five.

The assailants also abducted six residents, including two married women, two teenage girls and two young boys. They rustled an unspecified number of livestock and fled before security personnel arrived.

Although troops pursued the terrorists and engaged them in another exchange of gunfire, the abducted victims had not been rescued as of the time of filing this report.

Military sources, however, confirmed that the follow-up operation on Monday morning resulted in the killing of eleven of the terrorists, restoring a measure of calm to the area. (The Sun)