Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and troops of the Nigerian Army, have neutralised no fewer than 45 terrorists who were wreaking havoc in some border communities in Niger State.

In particular, the security agencies killed the terrorists at Iburu village located in the Shiroro Local Government Area of the state last Friday, when an intelligence by the DSS unearthed the activities of the criminals in the area.

The onslaught by the forces were launched following the alarm raised by the Nigeria Customs Service that its personnel were under constant terrorists’ attacks in the town.

In April, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, had raised the alarm over terrorist activities around the Babanna border in Niger State – a community sharing border with Benin Republic.

The Customs boss had said his men were lucky to have survived an ambush by the terrorists, who were angered by the seizure of 500 jerrycans of petrol smugglers were were taking to their den.

Security sources disclosed on Monday that following intelligence gathered that the terrorists riding on several motorcycles, were advancing to attack Iburu and neighbouring villages, the DSS quickly alerted soldiers who were on standby.

According to one of the sources, there was exchange of gunfire between the troops and the terrorists, resulting in the killing of no fewer than 45 terrorists during the encounter.

Two operatives were however said to have paid the supreme price, while four others were injured.

The sources said, “the villagers confirmed that they counted at least 40 dead bodies believed to be those of the bandits. 

“They also counted dozens of the bandits’ motorcycles destroyed during the gunfight.

“Two members of the hybrid forces fighting alongside soldiers lost their lives, while four others were receiving treatment for serious gunshot injuries at a public hospital in the state capital.”

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigerian Army, nor the DSS had spoken officially on the operation.