The Nigerian soldiers killed nine armed bandits in the northwest of the country, an army official said on Tuesday.

As part of operations ramped up to rid the area of attacks on civilians, the military also arrested five armed bandits in the northwestern Zamfara state.

“Troops of Operation Sharan Daji have neutralized nine suspected bandits, apprehended five others and burned down their camp,” army spokesman Clement Abiade said in a statement.

He also said troops also freed two persons who were kidnapped and held hostage in the bandits’ camp.

Military is conducting clearance operations in forests across Zamfara and Katsina states where the armed bandits have bases, the spokesman added.

Abiade also said six people were arrested in a separate operation for colluding with the bandits.

“Items recovered from the suspects included a round of 7.62 mm special ammunition, a motorcycle and large quantities of illicit drugs. Others are 45 gallons of fuel, seven drums of fuel, a tanker vehicle and a water pumping machine,” he said. (Anadolu)