By Nkechi Eze
Troops of 22 Armoured Brigade deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Babana in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State have recorded a major operational success after neutralising two bandits and recovering a cache of arms and ammunition during an early morning encounter on Thursday, 28 August 2025.
According to an official statement signed by Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, Captain Stephen Nwankwo, the incident occurred at about 2:50 a.m. when vigilant troops engaged a group of armed bandits attempting to infiltrate the Babana axis. A fierce exchange of gunfire ensued, during which the soldiers overwhelmed the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to flee in disarray.
Pursuing the fleeing assailants along their withdrawal route, the troops neutralised two bandits on the outskirts of Babana town. Items recovered during the operation included one AK-47 rifle, four magazines loaded with 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 323 rounds of 7.62x54mm ammunition, and a mobile phone.
Unfortunately, an officer and a soldier sustained gunshot wounds to their legs during the encounter. The Nigerian Army confirmed that both personnel are responding well to medical treatment, while the remains of the neutralised bandits have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.
Commending the troops, the Commander of 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Ezra Barkins, praised their vigilance, resilience, and fighting spirit. He reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements, stressing that all legitimate means would be employed to eradicate banditry and safeguard the lives and property of law-abiding citizens within the joint operations area.
