Terrorists suspected to be bandits have shot 13 soldiers and five policemen dead in a massive gun-battle that lasted for three hours on Tuesday night in Kebbi State.
Bandits had on Sunday killed 63 members of local vigilante in Kebbi.
Sources said the gun-battle occurred in Kanya, a village in Danko-Wasagu district late Tuesday.
Hundreds of gunmen were said to have invaded the village and were met with fierce resistance by the soldiers and policemen, with local vigilante supporting the security forces.
AFP quoted a security personnel as saying that after the battle, death toll stood at 19, which included 13 soldiers, five policemen and one vigilante.
The source added that those injured had been taken to the hospital for treatment.
According to the source the terrorists overwhelmed the security men because of their large number.
A local resident Musa Arzika, who spoke with AFP said the attackers came on 200 motorcycles with three people riding on a bike and laid siege on the village.
“The bodies of 13 soldiers, five policemen and one vigilante killed in the fight were taken to Zuru this morning,” he said.
