Eighteen suspected bandits have been killed during an intelligence-led operation in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The operation was carried out around 1am on Monday, September 21, at Gidan Iyado in Kakumi Ward, following intelligence that the group was preparing to abduct residents for ransom.
According to the Katsina State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, hunters, members of the Community Watch Corps and local vigilante groups deployed to the area and ambushed the suspected bandits.
The ministry said the group engaged the security team in a gun battle, resulting in the deaths of 18 suspected bandits.
It identified the alleged leader of the group as Alhaji Musa Duki, whom it described as a former school headmaster who later became a bandit kingpin operating from Mununu Forest in Faskari Local Government Area.
Security personnel recovered three firearms from the scene, comprising two AK-47 rifles and one G3 rifle. They also recovered 14 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and three motorcycles.
Two cows and 94 sheep, suspected to have been rustled by the group, were also recovered during the operation.
The ministry said no security operative was killed in the encounter.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Mua’zu, said a covert operation was ongoing to track down Duki and dismantle his network.
Mua’zu commended the hunters, Community Watch Corps members and vigilantes who participated in the operation, while urging residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
The operation comes amid continued efforts by authorities to disrupt kidnapping and banditry networks operating across Katsina’s rural communities.
