At least eight suspected bandits were reportedly killed on Saturday evening after an improvised explosive device (IED), apparently planted to target security forces, detonated along Lukope Road in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region, disclosed the incident in a post on X, stating that it occurred around 8:30 p.m. on March 20 along the Kurebe–Kushaka axis, a route frequently used by armed groups operating in the forest belt.
Makama explained that the device, originally intended to ambush advancing troops, went off prematurely as the bandits, riding on motorcycles, accidentally triggered it. “The explosion led to the immediate death of about eight bandits, with several others sustaining injuries,” he said.
The victims were reportedly loyalists of the notorious bandit leader Dogo Gide and were believed to be heading towards the Lukope area at the time of the blast.
Troops from Operation Fansan Yamma, Sector 1, quickly responded to the scene and intensified patrols in the area to prevent further security threats.
