No fewer than 18 suspected bandits have been neutralised during a joint security operation aimed at disrupting criminal activities in Katsina State.
The operation was carried out by a group of vigilantes and local security personnel around Gidan Iyado in Kakumi Ward of Bakori Local Government Area.
It was gathered that the suspected bandits engaged the security team in a gun battle after they were confronted following intelligence that the group was preparing to abduct residents and demand ransom.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Katsina State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs said the operation was carried out by hunters, members of the Community Watch Corps and local vigilante groups.
According to the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mua’zu, the operation also led to the recovery of three rifles, comprising two AK-47 rifles and one G3 rifle, alongside 14 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Three motorcycles were also seized, while the security personnel recovered two cows and 94 sheep suspected to have been stolen by the criminal group.
The ministry identified the alleged leader of the group as Musa Duki, a former school headmaster who was said to have become a bandit kingpin operating from Mununu Forest in Faskari Local Government Area.
Mua’zu said no security operative was killed during the encounter, adding that a covert operation was still underway to locate Duki and dismantle his alleged network.
He commended the hunters, Community Watch Corps and vigilante members for their role in the operation, while urging residents to continue providing security agencies with credible information that could help prevent further attacks.