No fewer than 50 suspected bandits terrorising communities across the Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State have been killed in what is a breakthrough in the fight against banditry.

Spokesperson of the Taraba State Police Command Abdullahi Usman, said the bandits were killed by Police operatives in collaboration with other security agencies.

He said the coordinated operation followed an outcry by locals which led to the ambush and killing of the bandits.

According to him the Command received information that some unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers in their hundreds, invaded the village when Muslims were saying their morning prayers, and started shooting sporadically.

On receipt of the information, the State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, ordered the deployment of a tactical team to the area in collaboration with the Army, vigilantes, and hunters. On arriving at the village, the bandits engaged the joint team in a gun duel.

The PPRO stated that in the process, many of the bandits were neutralized due to the firing power of the operatives, while others escaped with various degrees of injuries as a result of gunshots.

However, 12 locals were shot dead by the bandits before the arrival of the security personnel, he added.