The Zamfara State Police Command says more than 30 decomposed bodies believed to be those of suspected bandits have been found in farmlands following a fierce gun battle with security operatives in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of the state.
The police spokesman, DSP Yazid Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, noting that the discovery was made during an ongoing clearance operation to rid the area of armed criminal groups.
According to the statement, the operation began on October 28 after suspected bandits attempted to attack Bukkuyum town, prompting security operatives working with local civil security groups to engage them in a gun battle. 
The police said the operatives repelled the attackers and prevented them from advancing into the community, despite what it described as a significant disparity in firepower.
It added that more than 30 bodies believed to be those of neutralised bandits were later discovered in nearby farmlands, suggesting that the attackers may have suffered heavy casualties.
The statement, however, noted that the actual number of casualties had yet to be established, explaining that bandits were known to evacuate their injured and dead members from battle scenes.
Abubakar said the successful defence of the town prevented possible loss of lives and destruction of property, while preliminary security assessments indicated that sustained pressure had forced some fleeing bandits to leave the state.
The command pledged to sustain the operation alongside other security agencies and local stakeholders to eliminate armed criminal groups, restore public confidence and protect residents.
