At least 80 armed gang members were killed during a major military operation in northwestern Nigeria’s Kebbi State, officials confirmed on Monday, marking one of the most significant counter-banditry actions in the region this year.

According to a statement issued by Abdullahi Idris Zuru, Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Kebbi State Government, the Nigerian Army launched the operation after detecting a large group of gunmen attempting to cross into Kebbi from neighboring Zamfara State, a known hotspot for armed bandit activities.

Zuru said that troops intercepted the assailants near the state border, leading to intense firefights that resulted in the deaths of at least 80 gang members, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

During the operation, two civilians held captive by the gunmen were rescued safely.

Security forces also seized dozens of motorcycles, a large cache of weapons, and significant quantities of ammunition, dealing a major blow to the group’s logistics and mobility.

Authorities emphasized that the operation forms part of an ongoing nationwide campaign aimed at dismantling criminal networks and restoring peace to Nigeria’s northwestern states — regions plagued by armed violence, mass kidnappings, and rural attacks over the past several years.

“Security forces remain fully committed to eradicating the threat posed by these criminal gangs,” the statement read. “The government will continue to take decisive action to ensure the safety and well-being of our people.”

Northwestern Nigeria has faced persistent insecurity due to heavily armed criminal groups operating from forested areas across Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, and Sokoto states. These groups frequently conduct raids on villages, abduct civilians for ransom, and loot livestock and property.

To curb their movements, several state governments — including Kebbi — have restricted or banned motorcycle use, as bandits often use motorcycles for mobility during attacks.

The Kebbi State Government called on residents to cooperate with security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious activity or unidentified armed movements.

“The restoration of lasting peace requires both the courage of our security personnel and the vigilance of our citizens,” Zuru stated.

The operation in Kebbi underscores Nigeria’s renewed military momentum against rural banditry and highlights the government’s broader effort to secure border communities and reclaim territories long affected by criminal violence. (ILKHA)