A combined team of the Department of State Services (DSS) and troops of the Nigerian Army have dealt a devastating blow on bandits in Niger state.

In the ensuing duel, the team neutralised over 50 of the criminal elements and rescued kidnapped victims in Mariga local government area of the state. 

The incident reportedly occurred Wednesday August 26, 2025 in Kumbashi village with the locals hailing the feat as one of the most successful security interventions in recent times.

Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji, representing the Mashegu state constituency, confirmed the development.

He described the operation as “a demonstration of superior intelligence, training and firepower by the security agencies.”

While commending the operatives for their courage, Sarkin-Daji said eyewitnesses from Kumbashi told Zagazola Makama that about 300 bandits, armed with sophisticated weapons, attempted to invade the village at about 3 pm Tuesday. 

“The attack was targeted at DSS service asset camp in the area. However, security operatives swiftly repelled the assault after a fierce gun duel that left no fewer than 50 of the assailants dead. Several others reportedly fled with gunshot wounds.

“My constituents confirmed that the bandits, clearly shaken by the scale of their losses, were seen dismembering the corpses of their dead colleagues, loading them in sacks, and hauling them off on motorcycles,” Sarkin-Daji said.

Local sources in Kumbashi further corroborated the lawmaker’s position.

They said the success of the operation was particularly inspiring, adding:  “They stood firm when hundreds of bandits surrounded them. If not for their bravery, Kumbashi would have been wiped out.”