Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Friday repelled a bandit attack along a border community in Kebbi State, restoring calm to the area.
The Police Command in Kebbi confirmed that the armed bandits attempted to infiltrate border settlements in the early hours of the day but were successfully pushed back by security operatives after a gun duel.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Nafiu Abubakar, said in a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi that the swift response of officers on patrol prevented the attackers from gaining access to the communities.
“Police operatives, in collaboration with other security agencies, repelled a bandit attack at one of the border areas of the state. The criminals were forced to retreat after sustaining pressure from superior firepower,” Abubakar said.
He added that no casualty was recorded among security personnel or residents, while the attackers fled with gunshot wounds into nearby bushes.
According to the police spokesman, reinforcement teams have been deployed to the area to prevent a possible return of the criminals, while aggressive patrols and stop-and-search operations have been intensified along the border axis.
Abubakar explained that the command had sustained intelligence-led operations to flush out criminal elements taking advantage of porous borders to launch attacks on rural communities.
He urged residents of the affected areas to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could aid ongoing operations.
The Kebbi Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state, assuring that it would not relent in its efforts to rid border communities of banditry and other forms of criminality.
Residents have commended the prompt response of security operatives, noting that the improved patrols had boosted confidence and reduced fear among border communities.
