Army, DSS, Vigilantes Kill 24 Bandits in Katsina

On Tuesday, a joint operation involving soldiers from the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Katsina Community Watch Corps resulted in the deaths of at least 24 bandits in Gidan Bawa village, Kandarawa Ward, Bakori Local Government Area, Katsina State. The operation was initiated following intelligence reports that approximately 40 gunmen, loyal to notorious bandit kingpin Isiya Kwashen Garwa, planned to invade the village for a mass kidnapping, targeting residents, particularly women and children.

This plot aimed to replicate a previous mass abduction in Woro community, Kwara State, to embarrass the government. Acting on the intelligence, DSS operatives coordinated with the Community Watch Corps and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) from Guga camp to ambush the bandits.

The operation successfully neutralized 24 bandits, rescued abducted villagers, and recovered 19 stolen cattle. Efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing bandits.