LAGOS, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Over 50 gunmen were killed during a joint operation by Nigerian troops in the country's northwestern state of Kaduna on Monday, an official said on Tuesday.
Samuel Aruwan, commissioner for internal security and home affairs in Kaduna state, said in a statement an operational feedback to the state government from the military revealed the "inspiring success for the security forces," who killed over 50 gunmen, commonly called bandits in Nigeria, in a combined ground and air assault in the Birnin Gwari local government area of the state on Monday.
Aruwan said with close air support provided by the Nigerian air force helicopters, ground forces have engaged in gun duels with several groups of bandits and also thwarted one attempted ambush by gunmen in the area during the joint operation.
"The assessment revealed that over 50 bandits were neutralized during the joint operation," Aruwan said.
The commissioner said the governor of Kaduna state has expressed satisfaction over the development and urged the troops to sustain the momentum to bring "more bandits to their bitter end."
There have been a series of gunmen attacks in Nigeria in recent months, leading to deaths and kidnappings. Enditem