By Ado Oyeyemi
Joint security operatives have killed 18 suspected bandits during an operation in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The operation, which involved hunters, members of the Community Watch Corps and local vigilante groups, was carried out around 1am on Monday at Gidan Iyado in Kakumi Ward.
The Katsina State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs said the operation followed intelligence that the suspected bandits were planning to abduct residents and demand ransom.
According to the ministry, the operatives laid an ambush for the group before a gun battle broke out, leading to the reported death of 18 suspected bandits.
The ministry identified the alleged leader of the group as Alhaji Musa Duki, a former school headmaster who was said to have become a bandit kingpin operating from Mununu Forest in Faskari Local Government Area.
Items recovered from the suspects included two AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle and 14 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
Three motorcycles were also recovered during the operation, alongside two cows and 94 sheep suspected to have been rustled by the criminal group.
The Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Mua’zu, said no security operative was killed during the encounter.
Mua’zu added that a covert operation was ongoing to track down Duki and dismantle his network.
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The commissioner commended the hunters, Community Watch Corps and vigilante members for their role in the operation, while urging residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies.
