JUST IN: Over 26 Killed as Security Agents, Bandits, Engage in Bloody Clash in Buhari’s Home State
- A joint task force reportedly engaged bandits in a fierce gun battle on Wednesday afternoon, February 21
- The mission of the security operatives was to eject the terrorists from their new hideout in Birdigau village, Katsina state
- Legit.ng reports that on the bandits’ side, the casualties were substantial, with over 20 reported dead
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Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public journalism and security.
Kankara, Katsina state - Armed kidnapping gangs known locally as bandits have killed Sanusi Hassan, the commander, Katsina Community Watch Corps (KCWC) for Kankara local government area (LGA).
Also killed were four local vigilantes and two young men from Birdigau village.
Source: Getty Images
As reported by Vanguard on Thursday, February 22, the loss of lives happened on Wednesday afternoon, February 21, when the outlaws clashed with security operatives who raided their hideout at Yar Taipa, Birdigau ‘J’ located between Malumfashi and Kankara LGA.
The security agents were believed to be targeting notorious bandit kingpins, Dankarami and Barbaru.
The newspaper put the number of those killed in the bloody clash at 26, noting that a law enforcement operative from the area divulged that the operation claimed the lives of six individuals on the security side and over 20 from the side of the terrorists.
Muhammadu Buhari, the immediate past president of Nigeria, hails from Katsina state.
Although security agencies have yet to comment on the attack, This Day newspaper quoted the information officer of the council, Suleiman Ibrahim Tsiga, as confirming the attack.
Tsiga said:
“Aside from those that have been killed by these criminals, two members of the Katsina Community Watch Corps are nowhere to be found. But efforts are on to ascertain their whereabouts by security operatives.”
Efforts by Legit.ng to get comments from ASP Abubakar Aliyu, the spokesperson for the Katsina state police command, were unsuccessful.
Insecurity is one of the issues confronting Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, who was sworn in, in May 2023.
Nigeria’s military has been fighting armed groups like Boko Haram in the northeast, which has left it thinly stretched to tackle the bandits.
Many of the bandits are believed to comprise mostly ethnic Fulanis, including pastoralists and mercenaries from the region as well as neighbouring Chad and the Niger Republic. Most of them engage in kidnapping-for-ransom scheme.
Read more about banditry in Katsina state:
- Tragedy as terrorists kill 8 traders, kidnap others in Katsina
- Tension as bandits kidnap 16 people in another Katsina community
- Bandits kidnap 55 persons escorting bride to her matrimonial home in Katsina
“I don’t mind sacrificing my life”: Governor
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the governor of Katsina state, Dikko Umaru Radda, made a pledge as states in Nigeria battle insecurity.
Governor Radda promised to sacrifice his life to end banditry in Katsina.
The governor noted that security was a top priority, saying that was why a law was passed to establish a volunteer force equipped with weapons.
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Source: Legit.ng
