An hours-long gun battle between the Nigerian Army and armed bandits has claimed the lives of 17 soldiers. According to the army, the intelligence-led operation was jointly conducted with the Nigerian Air Force to confront 300 armed bandits using the Kwanar Dutse Forest to invade Bangi community in Niger state. Although the Army cannot confirm the casualties among bandits, it says there was “significant enemy losses.” In a related development, more than 100 bandits have also been killed in a gun battle between government-sponsored vigilantes in northwest Nigeria. #DWAfrica #nigeria #jaconnaafrica #jajiotheteacher #JTT