ABUJA, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian troops recently killed at least seven bandits during a clearance operation in the northern state of Kaduna, an official said on Friday.
Samuel Aruwan, the commissioner for internal security and home affairs in Kaduna, said in a statement that the operation was held by combined troops of the army and navy near a river in the Chikun local government area of the state. He, however, did not state when exactly the operation took place.
"Seven bandits were confirmed neutralized during the operation, with the high possibility of even more eliminated and injured across the river," Aruwan said.
The official said operational feedback to the state government indicated that the troops embarked on the operation and made contact with bandits around the river, promptly engaging and subduing the bandits after an intense gun duel.
During the operation, the troops recovered five motorcycles, 153 rounds of ammunition, seven magazines, and three mobile phones from the bandits, he added.
Armed attacks have been a primary security threat in Nigeria's northern and central regions, leading to deaths and kidnappings in recent months. ■