Security forces have raided bandits’ hideouts Birnin Gwari and Giwa Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, killing no fewer than five hoodlums.

The Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the forces identified the bandits’ hideout at a location in Birnin Gwari where two of the bandits were killed.

In another raid at Idasu in Giwa LG, the commissioner said, the forces engaged the criminals and killed three of them in a gun battle.

He also disclosed that the troops recovered two AK47 rifles, one pump action rifle and three motorcycles during the operations.

The commissioner said, “Security forces conducting operations against identified bandit enclaves have informed the Kaduna State Government that five bandits have been neutralised in two locations spanning Birnin Gwari and Giwa Local Government Areas.

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“According to the report, troops on patrol made contact with bandits around an identified hideout in Birnin Gwari LGA. They were engaged in a gun duel, after which two bandits were confirmed to have been neutralised.

“In another raid on a bandits’ camp around Idasu in Giwa LGA, security forces engaged the criminals and after a gun battle, three of these were confirmed neutralised.

“Cumulatively, across both locations, two AK47 rifles, one pump action rifle and three motorcycles were recovered from the operations, and are in the custody of the Military.

The statement added that Governor Nasir El-Rufai received the reports with satisfaction, and thanked the security forces for conducting sharp and effective missions.

In a related development, some bandits have invaded Barakallahu Community in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing one person

An unspecified number of cows were reportedly taken away by the hoodlums.

The bandits, it was learnt, gunned down a resident simply identified as Imam Abubakar during the attack on the community.

The district head of the community, Alhaji Muhammad Abdullahi, said the incident happened around 12:15am on Monday.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, promised to get in touch with the DPO in charge of the area and get back to our correspondent. However, he had yet to confirm the incident as of the time of filing this report.