Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has commended the military, Department of State Services (DSS) and vigilantes for foiling a planned mass kidnapping and neutralising 18 armed bandits in Bakori Local Government Area of the state.
The operation, which took place on Monday in Gidan Iyado, Kakumi Ward, was carried out following intelligence on plans by the bandits to abduct residents and demand ransom.
The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mua’su, said security forces laid an ambush and engaged the bandits after receiving credible information about the planned attack.
According to him, the bandits were led by Alhaji Musa Duki, a former school headmaster who allegedly became a bandit kingpin operating from Mununu Forest in Faskari Local Government Area.
The operation also led to the recovery of one G3 rifle, two AK-47 rifles, 14 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and three motorcycles.
Security personnel also recovered two cows and 94 sheep believed to have been rustled by the criminal group.
Radda commended the security personnel and vigilantes for their role in preventing the planned attack and protecting residents in the affected communities.
The commissioner said the governor had assured residents that security operations would continue, with a focus on tracking Duki and dismantling his network.
He added that the military and DSS were working to identify other members of the group, locate their hideouts and prevent further kidnapping operations in Bakori, Faskari and neighbouring communities.
The state government says the security forces will sustain the operations until the forests and other hideouts used by the bandits are cleared.
Comments
Add a comment