Shanono, Kano State — November 3, 2025 | Dalena Reporters
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Brigade, in collaboration with other security agencies, engaged in a fierce gun battle with armed Islamic terrorists—commonly referred to locally as bandits—on November 1, 2025, in the Ungwan Tudu, Ungwan Tsamiya and Goron Dutse areas of Shanono Local Government Area, Kano State. According to a military statement, the clash resulted in the deaths of 19 attackers, while Loses soldiers and one local vigilante member were killed in the line of duty.
The operation was triggered by a tip-off about bandit movements in the region. The attackers reportedly arrived on motorcycles, prompting the forces to pursue and engage them in retaliatory fire. Troops recovered several motorcycles and two mobile phones from the assailants.
In a statement issued by Captain Babatunde Zubairu, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for 3 Brigade, the Army emphasised its ongoing commitment to securing vulnerable communities in Kano State. “Own troops deployed at Tsaure came in contact with the bandits … 19 bandits were neutralised during the encounter. Regrettably, 2 gallant soldiers and one local Vigilante paid the supreme sacrifice.”
The incident underscores the persistent security challenges in Kano’s rural belt, where bandit raids, kidnappings and cattle rustling continue to plague residents. The military’s confirmation of its losses highlights the risks faced by both uniformed forces and community vigilantes in the fight against criminal militancy.
Brigadier General Ahmed Tukur, Commander of 3 Brigade, assured the public that “further operations are ongoing in the general area as efforts are made to protect vulnerable communities who have been prone to cattle rustling from the bandits.
Communities in the affected LGAs expressed relief at the operation but voiced concerns over the frequency of attacks and the need for sustained security presence and intelligence-led patrols. The recovery of several motorcycles used by the attackers suggests continued mobility and flexibility of bandit groups in the region, making them difficult to intercept.
As the Nigerian Army and its partner agencies press ahead, residents are urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to local security hotlines. The ongoing violence raises further debates over whether military responses alone are sufficient to tackle the deep-rooted conditions enabling banditry, including poverty, weak border controls, and local community cooperation.