At least 24 suspected bandits were reportedly killed on Tuesday after troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, and vigilante personnel foiled an attempt to abduct residents of Gidan Bawa village in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.
A report by security expert, Zagazola Makama, said the operation was carried out in Kandarawa Ward after security agencies received intelligence about a planned attack on the community.
The report said about 40 gunmen loyal to suspected bandit kingpin, Isiya Kwashen Garwa, were preparing to invade the village and abduct residents, particularly women and children.
The planned attack was reportedly intended to replicate the mass abduction earlier reported in Woro community, Kwara State, allegedly to embarrass the government.
Acting on the intelligence, DSS operatives mobilised personnel of the Katsina Community Watch Corps and Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, from Guga camp to intercept the attackers.
The joint security team reportedly engaged the bandits, killing 24 of them and rescuing villagers who had been abducted.
“The source disclosed that the joint security operatives neutralised 24 bandits and rescued the abducted villagers,” Zagazola Makama reported.
Nineteen stolen cattle were also recovered during the operation, while efforts were ongoing to track down members of the group who fled the scene.
Twenty-four bandits neutralized as Army, DSS foil mass abduction in Katsina