Defence
THE Kastina State Joint security operatives have repelled attack on Guga Village in Bakori Local Government Area (LGA), killing over 40 suspected bandits.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Mu’azu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Katsina.
According to Mu’azu, the attack occurred at about 5:40 p.m. on Sunday, when heavily armed bandits, allegedly led by notorious kingpin Idi Abasu Aiki invaded Guga Village.
“Intelligence reports indicated that the attackers planned to dislodge local hunters and the Katsina State Community Watch Corps protecting the communities before launching coordinated attacks on Bakori town and neighbouring villages.
“This sustained intelligence gathering and surveillance by security agencies enabled the timely deployment of joint hunters and Community Watch Corps personnel.
” The fierce gun battle forced the attackers to retreat.” he said.
Mu’azu said more than 40 suspected bandits were neutralised during the operation, while follow-up intelligence revealed that about eight senior commanders of the criminal group were also killed.
” Idi Abasu Aiki, the alleged criminal network kingpin was believed to have sustained life-threatening gunshot injuries during the encounter.” he said
The commissioner said the latest success followed an earlier operation on July 7 at Dawan Laila Village in Bakori Local Government Area, where the same criminal network suffered heavy losses.
He described the latest attack as a desperate attempt by the bandits to regain lost ground and undermine the community-based security architecture established by the state government.
Mu’azu said security operatives had commenced clearance operations to recover weapons and other items abandoned by the fleeing attackers, while surveillance had been intensified to prevent further threats.
He, however, expressed sadness over the death of five members of the hunters’ team, who were fatally shot after they were caught outside the frontline while attending to personal shopping activities during the operation.
“These courageous patriots paid the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our communities. On behalf of the government and the people of Katsina State, I condole with the families of the fallen Hunters,” he said.
Mu’azu said normalcy had been restored in the affected communities and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to sustaining collaborative security operations to protect lives and property across Katsina. (NAN)
Tags: Bakori Katsina security forces