Community hunters in Katsina State have reportedly killed 14 bandits during a fierce gun battle, foiled a planned mass abduction and rescued three victims alive.
The Katsina State Government disclosed this in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Danmusa.
According to the statement, intelligence reports received on Friday indicated that 26 heavily armed bandits, riding on 13 motorcycles and allegedly led by a notorious kingpin identified as Isiya Kwashen Garwa, were advancing towards Dawan Laila Forest to prepare for coordinated attacks on neighbouring communities.
Danmusa said security agencies swiftly placed their operational assets in Bakori Local Government Area on high alert, following the intelligence, leading to the disruption of the suspected mass kidnapping plot.
He explained that at about 1:31 p.m. on the same day, 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.
However, community hunters from Gidan Wawo were quickly mobilised and engaged the fleeing bandits in a fierce gun battle, resulting in the deaths of 14 suspected criminals and the rescue of three victims.
The government said the operation came at a heavy cost, as a community hunter, Mohammed Ibrahim Jidda, was killed while defending the community.
Another hunter, 25-year-old Usman Sunday, sustained minor gunshot injuries and is receiving medical treatment.
One of the travellers, identified as Jamilu Lawal, also died after being trapped and burnt in the vehicle during the attack.
The statement described Jidda’s death as a painful loss, acknowledging the sacrifice made by the community hunters in protecting residents from criminal attacks.
Meanwhile, the state government warned of possible reprisal attacks by the bandits following the heavy casualties suffered during the encounter.
Danmusa assured residents that comprehensive countermeasures had been activated in collaboration with security agencies to prevent further attacks and protect lives and property.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely and credible information to help sustain the fight against banditry and other criminal activities in the state.