Nigerian soldiers battle bandits at national park, kill many

Soldiers of the 22 Armoured Brigade, under Operation Park Strike V, teamed up with Park Rangers to launch a successful ambush against armed bandits in Kainji Lake National Park, Niger State.

The Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the brigade, Capt. Stephen Nwankwo, said in a statement that the raid was executed in the early hours of Thursday after security forces received reliable intelligence about the movement of bandits within the park’s Zugurma sector.

According to him, troops mounted an ambush around the Tungan Talle crossing at about 1:15 a.m. and engaged the criminals in a fierce gunfight.

“The troops’ superior firepower overpowered the criminals, leading to an unconfirmed number of insurgents neutralised, while others sustained gunshot injuries,” Nwankwo explained.

He added that three AK-47 rifles and four motorcycles were seized during the clash. One Park Ranger, however, sustained gunshot wounds but was promptly treated and stabilised.

Nwankwo further noted that the Commander of 22 Armoured Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Ezra Barkins, praised the soldiers for their courage and professionalism.

He said, “Barkins, who relocated to the Step-Up Headquarters at Wawa Cantonment for effective coordination, urged the troops to sustain the momentum until criminal elements were flushed out of the area.”