Troops of the 167 Battalion's Operation Fadan-Yamma of the Nigerian Army have successfully neutralized two bandits and recovered 22 rustled cows during an operation in Kaduna State.

The military operation, which took place at Chigwalu village in Kachia Local Government Area, followed an attack on four Fulani settlements in Kagarko LGA where bandits reportedly rustled over 400 cows.

According to Ibrahim Ahmed, a resident of Kagarko, the incident occurred on Saturday when a large number of bandits armed with AK-47 rifles attacked settlements identified as Rugan Wokili, Rugan Bawa, Rugan Yero, and Rugan Kire near Janjala.

"The troops encountered the bandits at Chigwalu Forest around 2:12am on Sunday," Ahmed stated. "The gun battle led to the killing of two bandits while several other gang members escaped with bullet wounds."

During the exchange of fire, many of the rustled cattle scattered into the forest, with some reportedly sustaining bullet wounds. The troops were able to recover 22 cows at the scene of the confrontation.

Ahmed further revealed that residents from five villages—Anguwan Lalli, Gidan Kwano, Sabon Gari, Katambi, and Anguwa Toka—have abandoned their homes due to persistent bandit activities in the area.

"Aside from these five villages, residences in Gidan Makeri, Kucumi, and Taka-Lafiya were also deserted due to the activities of bandits that have been terrorising people of the communities," he added.

A security source who participated in the operation confirmed the incident to reporters, stating that some bandits were neutralized while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

This operation comes amid growing concerns about banditry in northern Nigeria, particularly in states like Kaduna, where rural communities have been subjected to attacks, kidnappings, and cattle rustling.