Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
At least 24 bandits were killed on Tuesday after soldiers of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Katsina Community Watch Corps foiled an attempt to mass-kidnap persons in Gidan Bawa village, Kandarawa Ward, Bakori Local Government Area of the state.
According to a security source, the operation followed sustained intelligence which uncovered plans by about 40 gunmen loyal to notorious bandit kingpin, Isiya Kwashen Garwa, to invade the village and abduct many residents, especially women and children.
The plot, sources said, was intended to replicate the mass abduction of residents of Woro community in Kwara State, ostensibly to embarrass the government.
Joint Operation Thwarts Attack
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, DSS operatives mobilised the Community Watch Corps and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) from Guga camp, and ambushed the bandits.
The source disclosed that the joint security operatives neutralised 24 bandits and rescued the abducted villagers.
Security operatives also recovered 19 stolen cattle from the community during the raid.
The source added that there were ongoing efforts to track down the fleeing bandits.
Growing Insecurity in North-West
The successful operation comes amid growing insecurity in Katsina State and other parts of the North-West region, which have been plagued by banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling for years.
Bandits have increasingly targeted rural communities, abducting residents for ransom and terrorising local populations. The Katsina State Government has been working with security agencies to combat the menace, including the deployment of community-based security initiatives such as the Community Watch Corps.
The killing of 24 bandits in a single operation represents a significant blow to the criminal networks operating in the area and has been hailed by residents as a welcome development.
Residents Hail Security Agencies
Local residents have commended the security agencies for their swift response and professionalism, expressing hope that the operation would deter further attacks on their communities.
However, concerns remain about the ability of security forces to sustain the momentum and prevent future incursions by bandits, who often operate from remote forest hideouts across state borders.
The military has reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and has called on residents to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies to aid in the fight against banditry and other forms of criminality.
As of the time of filing this report, search operations were continuing in the area to track down fleeing bandits and recover any other stolen property.
