By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria

At least 58 bandits were killed in Nigeria's northwestern Zamfara state, as security operatives cracked down on their hideouts in the state, the military said on Wednesday.

Maj. Clement Abiade, an army spokesman, said the operations took place on Jan. 20 at Dumburum and Gando forests after troops encountered bandits armed with sophisticated firearms and rocket propelled grenades.

Abiade said that the military destroyed 18 camps used by bandits, captured one bandit alive and rescued 75 kidnapped people.

“Unfortunately, Operation SHARAN DAJI also suffered some casualties in these encounters. So far, two gallant soldiers and two members of the vigilante paid the supreme prize. A total of eight soldiers and six vigilantes also sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries,” he added.

He said the abductees have been reunited with their families while injured security operatives were being treated at various government hospitals in the state capital Gusau and outside the state.

Nigeria faces a relatively new security crisis in the agrarian northwest region as cattle thieves and other criminals repeatedly attack villagers. Over a thousand persons have been killed in the violence.