Gun men
Picnews
Community hunters in Katsina State have foiled an alleged mass kidnapping plot in Gidan Wawo village, Kakumi Ward, Bakori Local Government Area, following a gun battle with suspected bandits that reportedly left 14 attackers dead.
The Katsina State Government disclosed that intelligence received at about 1:28 a.m. on Friday indicated that 26 heavily armed bandits, travelling on 13 motorcycles, were heading towards Dawan Laila Forest ahead of planned attacks on nearby communities.
The attackers were allegedly led by a suspected bandit leader identified as Isiya Kwashen Garwa.
Following the intelligence report, security agencies placed their operational assets across Bakori Local Government Area on high alert, helping to disrupt the suspected kidnapping operation.
However, at about 1:31 p.m. on the same day, the armed men reportedly attacked a private vehicle conveying four passengers from Kakumi Ward to Illela Market in Sokoto State. The attackers set the vehicle ablaze, trapping the occupants.
Community hunters from Gidan Wawo were subsequently mobilised and engaged the fleeing suspects in a gun battle. The confrontation reportedly resulted in the deaths of 14 suspected bandits, while three passengers were rescued alive.
The incident also claimed two lives. A 29-year-old community hunter, Mohammed Ibrahim Jidda, was killed while defending his community, while Jamilu Lawal, a 50-year-old passenger and the fourth occupant of the vehicle, died from burns sustained in the fire.
Another hunter, 25-year-old Usman Sunday, sustained minor gunshot injuries and is currently receiving medical attention.
Government Warns of Possible Reprisal
The state government said intelligence reports suggested that the surviving bandits might attempt reprisals following the losses they suffered during the confrontation.
It added that security measures had been activated in collaboration with relevant security agencies to forestall further attacks and protect vulnerable communities.
Commending the security personnel and community hunters for their intervention, the government noted that their efforts helped prevent what could have resulted in a large-scale kidnapping.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Mu’azu Danmusa, the government urged residents to remain calm and vigilant while providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
The government also reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property throughout Katsina State.
