Bandits
By Suliah Lawal
Community hunters in Katsina State have reportedly killed 14 suspected bandits during a gun battle, disrupted an alleged mass kidnapping attempt and rescued three victims alive, although the operation claimed the lives of a hunter and a traveller.
The Katsina State Government disclosed this in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Danmusa, on Friday.
According to the statement, security operatives received intelligence that 26 heavily armed bandits, travelling on 13 motorcycles under the leadership of a suspected notorious kingpin identified as Isiya Kwashen Garwa, were heading towards Dawan Laila Forest to prepare for coordinated attacks on neighbouring communities.
Danmusa said the intelligence prompted security agencies to place their operational assets across Bakori Local Government Area on high alert, enabling them to disrupt the suspected kidnapping operation.
He explained that at approximately 1:31 p.m. on Friday, the armed men attacked a private vehicle conveying four passengers from Kakumi Ward to Illela Market in Sokoto State.
The assailants reportedly set the vehicle ablaze, trapping its occupants inside.
Following the attack, community hunters from Gidan Wawo were mobilised to confront the fleeing suspects, resulting in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
The commissioner said the hunters overpowered the suspected bandits, killing 14 of them and rescuing three victims alive.
However, the operation also resulted in casualties among the community hunters and the travellers.
“Even though 14 of the bandits were killed, the operation came at a painful cost. A brave community hunter, Mohammed Ibrahim Jidda was killed while defending the community, while another hunter, Usman Sunday, 25, sustained minor gunshot injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment,” the statement said.
It added that one of the travellers, identified as Jamilu Lawal, died after being burnt in the vehicle during the attack.
The state government further disclosed that intelligence reports suggested the possibility of reprisal attacks by the suspected bandits following the losses they suffered during the confrontation.
Danmusa assured residents that comprehensive security measures had been activated in collaboration with relevant security agencies to prevent further attacks and protect vulnerable communities.
