Nigerian soldiers killed more than 300 members of kidnapping and cattle bandit gangs during a two-day operation in the north-western state of Zamfara this week, according to a government official.
Key facts
- More than 300 gang members were killed, according to a government official.
- The operation took place in Gummi district in Zamfara state.
- It was a two-day military operation.
- Zamfara's information commissioner, Mahmud Muhammad Dantawasa, announced the figures in a statement.
- Gangs of cattle rustlers and jihadists have long terrorised northern and central Nigeria.
Nigerian government troops killed more than 300 members of kidnapping and cattle bandit gangs in the north-western state of Zamfara this week, according to a government official.
The soldiers targeted the gangs in Gummi district during a two-day operation that “led to the elimination of more than 300 terrorists,” Zamfara’s information commissioner, Mahmud Muhammad Dantawasa, said in a statement, according to the Guardian.
Gangs made up of cattle rustlers and jihadists have long terrorised communities in northern and central Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom and attacks on rural settlements have become a persistent security challenge.
The government official’s account of the operation, as reported by the Guardian, did not include additional independently verified details beyond the location, duration and casualty figure provided in the statement.
Why it matters
Banditry and kidnapping have plagued northern and central Nigeria for years, disrupting rural communities and straining the country's security forces. Announcements of large-scale operations reflect the government's continued efforts to counter these gangs, though such official casualty figures are often difficult to independently verify.
Frequently asked questions
Where did the Nigerian military operation take place?
The operation took place in the Gummi district of Zamfara state, in north-western Nigeria.
How many people were reportedly killed?
According to a government official, more than 300 members of kidnapping and cattle bandit gangs were killed during the two-day operation.
Who announced the figures?
Zamfara's information commissioner, Mahmud Muhammad Dantawasa, announced the figures in a statement.