Joint Military Operation Takes Down Bandit Kingpin And 100 Criminals In Katsina

The Katsina State Government has celebrated a significant achievement in its ongoing battle against banditry and kidnapping, marking a decisive victory with a successful joint military operation that led to the neutralization of notorious bandit kingpin Gwaska and over 100 of his criminal associates. This successful operation also resulted in the dismantling of several criminal hideouts across Katsina State.

According to Dr. Nasir Mua’zu, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, the operation was a coordinated strike executed by the Nigerian Army’s 17th Brigade in collaboration with the 213 Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Air Force. The targeted areas included Mununu Bakai, Zango, Jeka Arera, Malali, and Ruwan Godiya, covering the local government areas of Kankara and Faskari.

During the operation, the security forces successfully recovered and destroyed significant weaponry, including two machine guns and locally fabricated shotguns, preventing further use by criminal elements in the region. The Commissioner emphasized that this operation has effectively disrupted the criminal networks responsible for terrorizing communities across Faskari, Kankara, Bakori, Malumfashi, and Kafur.

In addition to the strike on bandit strongholds, another targeted operation took place on the Dutsen Wori by Dandume-Kandamba Road, situated on the outskirts of Dandume town. The operation, which occurred in the early hours of the morning at approximately 3:45 am, led to the elimination of six bandits, including their commander. Several other bandits were wounded, and a number of them managed to escape. The operation also saw the successful interception and recovery of seven motorcycles that were used by the bandits.

The security forces tracked the bandits back to their camp at Maigora/Doroyi in Faskari Local Government Area, ensuring that no casualties were reported among the participating security personnel during the mission.