14 Bandits Killed In Katsina As Hunters Foil Mass Kidnap

The Katsina State government yesterday said a planned mass kidnap operation in Gidan Wawo village, Kakumi Ward of Bakori local government area was foiled following a coordinated security response which led to the killing of 14 bandits at the weekend.

According to CHANNELS TV, the government said intelligence reports received at about 1:28 a.m. on Friday indicated that 26 heavily armed bandits riding on motorcycles under the leadership of Isiya Kwashen Garwa were advancing towards Dawan Laila forest to launch coordinated attacks on communities.

The government said security agencies placed all operational assets in Bakori local government area on high alert and subsequently disrupted the planned mass assault.

The Television station added that at about 1:31 p.m. on the same day, the bandits attacked a private vehicle conveying four passengers from Kakumi Ward to Illela Market in Sokoto State. They set the vehicle ablaze, trapping the occupants.

Hunters from Gidan Wawo were mobilised and engaged the criminals in a gun battle which in the death of 14 bandits while three victims rescued alive.

A hunter, Mohammed Ibrahim Jidda, aged 29, was killed while defending the community, while another hunter, Usman Sunday, 25, sustained minor gunshot injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.

One of the travelers, Jamilu Lawal, died after being burnt in the vehicle.

The government disclosed that intelligence reports had indicated possible reprisals by the bandits following the heavy losses they suffered.

It assured residents that measures had been put in place with security agencies to check further attacks.