Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation MESA, under the 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, have neutralized 19 bandits during a fierce gun duel in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State.
The operation, which took place on November 1, 2025, also claimed the lives of two soldiers and one local vigilante, who were killed while repelling the assailants.
According to the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade, Captain Babatunde Zubairu, the offensive followed credible intelligence on the movement of the bandits around Ungwan Tudu, Ungwan Tsamiya, and Goron Dutse communities.
He explained that troops, supported by other security agencies, swiftly mobilized and engaged the criminals in a fierce gunfight, successfully foiling their attack.
Items recovered from the scene include several motorcycles and two mobile phones, which were believed to have been used for coordination by the armed group.
Captain Zubairu added that further clearance operations are ongoing to secure vulnerable communities that have been frequent targets of cattle rustling and other criminal activities in the area.
The Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Ahmed Tukur, reassured residents of continued collaboration between the Army and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in Kano State.
