Katsina: Security Forces Foil Mass Kidnap, Neutralise 18 Bandits, Recover Arms

Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Radda, has commended the Nigerian military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilantes for foiling an attempted mass kidnapping and attack on residents of Gidan Iyado in Kakumi Ward, Bakori Local Government Area of the state.

A statement by the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Mua’su, said the intelligence-led operation on Monday resulted in the neutralisation of 18 armed bandits and the recovery of arms, ammunition and rustled livestock.

Mua’su said the operation followed credible intelligence that the criminal group was planning to abduct residents for ransom.

“The operation was intelligence-driven. Acting on credible information about a planned mass abduction for ransom by the criminal group, our forces laid an ambush using operational assets and engaged the bandits.

“The criminals were led by one Alhaji Musa Duki, a former school headmaster turned bandit kingpin operating from Mununu Forest in Faskari LGA,” he said.

According to the commissioner, the operation targeted bandits who had been terrorising residents of Kakumi Ward and surrounding communities.

He said security forces recovered one G3 rifle, two AK-47 rifles, 14 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, three motorcycles, two cows and 94 sheep during the operation.

Mua’su said the governor commended the gallantry of the security personnel and assured residents that sustained covert operations were underway to track down the alleged kingpin and dismantle his network.

“We will not relent until every forest and hideout is cleared,” he quoted the governor as saying.

The commissioner added that the military and DSS were working to identify other members of the network, locate their hideouts and prevent further kidnapping operations in Bakori, Faskari and neighbouring communities.

The Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against banditry in Katsina State.

It said the joint security operation, comprising hunters, members of the Community Watch Corps and local vigilante groups, ambushed the armed bandits at Gidan Iyado, Kakumi Ward, Bakori LGA, in the early hours of Monday.