Bandits operating in Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, have shot and wounded two soldiers at a military base.

Rafi is one of the troubled LGAs in Niger State, suffering incessant attacks from bandits, who prevent farmers from going to their farms.

The attack on the military base was said to have occurred in the early hours of Monday.

It was learnt that one bandit was killed while two soldiers sustained gunshot injuries in the exchange of gunfire.

The Chairman of the Rafi Local Government Area, Ayuba Katako, who confirmed the incident, said, “It happened in my domain. The two soldiers have been taken to the IBB Specialist Hospital where they are responding to treatment.

“The military, police and vigilantes are trying their best to ensure peace and security of lives and property in the state and they deserve to be commended.”

Katako decried the continued attacks on the security operatives and called for patience, support and prayers to overcome the menace of insecurity bedeviling the state and Nigeria at large.

The Niger State military cantonment in Minna could not be reached for comments.

Attempt to speak to the Niger police spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, was also not successful as calls placed to his mobile line did not connect.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation Whirl Punch and Operation Forest Sanity II continued their patrol of the Rijana general area of the Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Monday, as they killed two bandits during a clearance operation.

The development came less than 24 hours after the troops encountered some bandits at the Kachia-Kajuru general area, killing five and leaving many with gunshot wounds.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement on Monday disclosed that troops on clearance operation engaged some bandits in a gun duel in the Rijana area and killed two, while scores escaped with gunshot wounds.

The troops, according to him, recovered three AK-47 rifles, two motorcycles, two AK-47 magazines, 19 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two mobile phones and two MP3 players.

He said, “According to operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government, the troops began their advance, clearing several locations, including Amale, Gidan Jatau, Gidan Danfulani and Gidan Duna with no resistance.

“As the forces progressed to Gidan Dutse, the troops made contact with bandits and, in the ensuing firefight, two of the criminals were neutralised while several escaped with gunshot wounds.

“The troops searched the area and recovered three AK-47 rifles, two motorcycles and two AK-47 magazines, 19 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two mobile phones and two MP3 players.

“The Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, expressed satisfaction at the report and congratulated the troops for another sterling outing. The governor praised the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. T.A. Lagbaja, and the unflinching morale of the troops, in the ongoing operations.”

The commissioner enjoined the citizens to continue “to utilise the 24-hour Security Operations Room by volunteering actionable intelligence on the movement of bandits and their collaborators.