Security forces in Katsina State have foiled an alleged mass kidnapping attempt in Gidan Iyado, Kakumi Ward, Bakori Local Government Area, killing 18 armed bandits and recovering weapons and rustled livestock.
The operation was carried out in the early hours of Monday, September 21, at about 1 a.m., by a joint team comprising hunters, members of the Community Watch Corps and local vigilante groups.
The Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Radda, commended the Nigerian military, Department of State Services, DSS, and vigilantes for stopping the bandits from attacking and abducting residents in the community.
A statement by the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Mua’su, said the operation was intelligence-driven and targeted a criminal group allegedly planning to abduct residents for ransom.
Mua’su said the security forces laid an ambush using operational assets after receiving credible information about the planned attack and engaged the bandits.
He said the group was led by Alhaji Musa Duki, a former school headmaster who allegedly became a bandit kingpin operating from Mununu Forest in Faskari Local Government Area.
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The operation targeted bandits who had been terrorising residents of Kakumi Ward and surrounding communities.
The security forces recovered one G3 rifle, two AK-47 rifles, 14 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, three motorcycles, two cows and 94 sheep.
The commissioner said the governor commended the security forces for their gallantry and assured residents that sustained covert operations were ongoing to track the kingpin and dismantle his network.
“We will not relent until every forest and hideout is cleared,” the governor said.
Mua’su added that efforts were ongoing by the military and the DSS to identify other members of the network, locate their hideouts and prevent further kidnapping operations in Bakori, Faskari and neighbouring communities.
