At least 45 terrorists were killed in a coordinated offensive by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigerian Army in Iburu village, located in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to security sources, the operation took place last Friday following credible intelligence from the DSS, which uncovered the movement and planned attack of the terrorists in the area.
The crackdown follows a series of warnings by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) about escalating terrorist threats in the border towns of Niger State, particularly around Babanna—a community bordering the Republic of Benin.
Daily Trust had earlier reported that Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, in April, raised an alarm over the security situation in the area.
“His men were lucky to have survived an ambush by the terrorists who were angered by the seizure by the Customs officers of 500 jerrycans of petrol smugglers were delivering to them,” the report noted.
On Monday, security sources revealed that the DSS picked up intelligence indicating that the terrorists, riding on several motorcycles, were preparing to raid Iburu and surrounding communities. The DSS promptly alerted military units already stationed nearby.
A security insider confirmed to Daily Trust that a gun battle ensued between the joint security forces and the armed group, leading to the deaths of dozens of terrorists.
“The villagers confirmed that they counted at least 40 dead bodies believed to be those of the bandits. They also counted dozens of the bandits’ motorcycles destroyed during the gunfight,” the source disclosed.
However, the operation was not without casualties on the side of the security forces.
“Two members of the hybrid forces fighting alongside soldiers lost their lives, while four others were receiving treatment for serious gunshot injuries at a public hospital in the state capital,” the source added.
