Troops, vigilantes repel bandits in Mariga, several bandits killed, two civilians killed, one injured

Troops, vigilantes repel bandits in Mariga, several bandits killed, two civilians killed, one injured

By: Zagazola Makama

Nigerian troops operating with local vigilantes on Monday engaged bandits in a fierce gun battle at Dare Biyu village, near Beri in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the encounter, which lasted between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., led to the neutralization of several bandits while vigilante operatives killed and one other sustained gunshot injuries.

Those killed were identified as Yusuf Dan Basi and Bello Shagari, while the wounded, Naziru Lawal, is receiving treatment at Beri Hospital.

The source said the troops and vigilantes were initially encircled by reinforced bandit elements, but fought back tenaciously, returning accurate fire, evacuating casualties and protecting civilian populations in the area.

“Despite the difficult terrain and enemy encirclement tactics, our troops were able to stabilize the situation, secure withdrawal routes for civilians and prevent wider escalation,” the source said.

According to the sources, the bandits reinforced their numbers on motorcycles and on foot, and used motorcycle-switch tactics to evade pursuit.

The sources said the attackers were linked to a wider network of bandit cells operating in Mariga, Kontagora, Magama, Rijau and Mashegu LGAs of Niger State.

Security analysts warned that the continued presence of the bandits near Beri posed a direct threat to civilians and transit routes.

They recommended reinforcement of the Beri–Mariga–Kontagora corridor, establishment of mobile checkpoints, deployment of aerial reconnaissance, and offensive sweep operations against the identified bandit cells.

Troops, vigilantes repel bandits in Mariga, several bandits killed, two civilians killed, one injured