Bandits kills 7 in Katsina State, Military intensifies operations, killing, capturing kidnappers

The Nigerian Armed Forces on Saturday said that its troops under Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), on Friday, killed three kidnappers during a commando operation at Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau state.

This is just as armed bandits made a mockery of President Muhammadu Buhari efforts at wiping them out by killing at least seven persons in an attack in Kasai and Nahuta villages of Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State. 

The attack came few days after the federal government mobilized its top national security personnel to flush out the bandits in the Northern parts of the country.

Residents said the attacks were carried out Friday night when the bandits stormed the communities on motorcycles and were brandishing weapons as they were observing were about observing prayers.

A resident of a nearby community, Kurmiyal, who identified himself as Sama’ila Lihidda, said that many residents escaped to the nearby communities while some passed the night inside the bush.

Meanwhile, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General John Enenche said in a statement that the troops have continued “intensive clearance operations” under Operation Accord aimed at curtailing the activities of bandits and other criminals in the Northwest and Northcentral regions of the country.

General Enenche noted that sequel to technical and human intelligence on the activities of a notorious kidnap kingpin at Pialat Hotel in Kwa, troops overwhelmed the suspects who opened fire on them. But he noted that with superior fire power, three kidnappers were killed while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Enenche added that the troops recovered one Barreta pistol, one single barrel gun, two fabricated pistols, four rounds of 9mm ammunition, three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, four cartridges, one motorcycle and one techno phone.

He further disclosed that the same troops in collaboration with local vigilante rescued one Salisu Abdullahi, a herder, who went missing while grazing around Bakin Rafi at Gidan Ado general area in Riyom Local Government Area.

According to him, troops arrested a suspected kidnapper, one Alhaji Idris around Hawan-Kibo general area also in Riyom Local Government Area.

He added that four other suspected kidnappers were apprehended in connection with the kidnap of one Mr Abdullahi Abdullahi at Kwahas-Lahir area in Mangu Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, all the suspects have been handed over to relevant civil authorities for further investigation and prosecution.

“Additionally, as part of Operation Accord Civil-Military cooperation activities, Headquaters Operation Safe Haven distributed relief materials to residents of Daffo district and Kuba village in Barkin Ladi Local Govwenment Area. This was aimed at cushioning the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Military High Command congratulates Operation Safe Haven for their commitment. While the general public is requested to continue to provide timely and credible information to the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” he said.