Nigerian Army troops from the 223 Light Battalion, Zuru, have successfully repelled a massive assault by more than 400 heavily armed bandits on Ribah town in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The confrontation, which occurred on Wednesday, turned into an intense gun battle that lasted several hours. Witnesses described the encounter as a full-scale war zone, with the army’s superior tactics and firepower forcing the attackers into a hasty retreat.

Military sources confirmed that a significant number of the assailants were neutralised during the clash, while others fled with gunshot wounds, abandoning a cache of weapons and ammunition. The troops have since secured the area and restored normalcy to the town.

Praising the soldiers’ performance, the Director of Security at the Kebbi State Cabinet Office, AbdulRahman Zagga, commended the troops’ swift response and strategic brilliance.
“The troops displayed uncommon bravery. Their swift response and combat efficiency turned what could have been a major disaster into a remarkable victory,” Zagga stated.

He also lauded the Nigerian Air Force for its crucial aerial support, which he said inflicted significant casualties on the fleeing attackers and effectively disrupted their escape routes.

“The situation is now fully under control. The people of Ribah can breathe a sigh of relief thanks to the coordinated efforts of our security forces,” he added.

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According to intelligence reports, the attackers are believed to be part of a notorious criminal syndicate responsible for a string of deadly raids in neighbouring Niger State. Their expansion attempt into Kebbi was decisively crushed by the military’s joint response.

In a separate but related incident, soldiers from Dukku Barracks also thwarted another bandit attack on Mera, a community in Augie Local Government Area. The attackers, identified as members of the Lakurawa bandit network, reportedly attempted to steal cattle but were driven back by army personnel in a fierce gunfight that left them fleeing empty-handed.

Reacting to both operations, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris applauded the security forces for their bravery and effectiveness.

“These victories are proof that with sustained support and collaboration, our security agencies can defeat banditry and restore peace to our communities,”** the governor said.

Just two days earlier, a joint operation in the same Danko Wasagu axis led to the rescue of six kidnapped victims and the recovery of stolen livestock—underscoring a wave of recent successes in the fight against insecurity.

Grateful residents in Ribah and Mera expressed relief and urged the government to sustain the momentum to ensure lasting safety. Many have called for an increased presence of security operatives to deter future incursions.

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