Nigerian troops have killed 19 armed bandits in a fierce exchange of fire during a counterterrorism operation in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, the Army confirmed on Monday. Two officers and a local vigilante member were also killed in the confrontation.
According to Captain Babatunde Zubairu, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 3rd Brigade, the operation was launched after a tip-off about the movement of terrorists around Ungwan Tudu, Ungwan Tsamiya, and Goron Dutse in Shanono. Troops under the Joint Task Force, Operation MESA, swiftly engaged the attackers around 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2025.
The bandits, who reportedly stormed the area on motorcycles, were met by the troops’ rapid response units. A prolonged gun duel ensued, leading to the neutralization of 19 insurgents and the recovery of several motorcycles and mobile phones from the fleeing assailants. “The intervention commenced when gallant troops swiftly responded to reports of bandit movements. Our men pursued and overpowered the terrorists,” Zubairu said.
However, the encounter came at a cost. Two soldiers and one local vigilante member were confirmed dead. The Army described them as “gallant heroes” who paid the supreme sacrifice to protect lives and property in the region. Their names are being withheld pending notification of families.
Brigadier General Ahmed Tukur, Commander of the 3rd Brigade, commended the troops for their courage and professionalism, assuring residents that the Nigerian Army remains committed to restoring peace across Kano State. He emphasized that ongoing clearance operations are targeting remaining bandit hideouts in nearby forests and border communities.
The Army also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue sharing intelligence on suspicious movements to security agencies. “We will not relent in securing vulnerable communities that have suffered repeated attacks and cattle rustling,” the statement added.
The attack marks a renewed wave of terrorist activities in the northwest, where criminal gangs and insurgents have intensified assaults on rural communities. Security analysts say the military’s swift response in Shanono highlights growing coordination between ground troops and intelligence units, but also underscores the persistent risks soldiers face in volatile regions.
