Katsina Traditional Rulers Commend Military, DSS After Bandits Abandon 18 Kidnap Victims

Traditional rulers in Katsina State have commended the military, Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilante groups for thwarting another alleged mass abduction attempt in Bakori Local Government Area.

The latest operation, which took place on Thursday, reportedly forced armed bandits to abandon 18 kidnap victims, including women and children, before fleeing the area.

The development came less than two weeks after security forces foiled another attempted mass abduction in Gidan Iyado, Kakumi Ward, in the same local government area. During that operation, the state government said 18 bandits were killed by a combined team of military personnel, DSS operatives and members of the Community Watch Corps.

Speaking on Thursday, a district head in Bakori LGA commended the security agencies and local vigilantes for their continued collaboration with traditional institutions and communities.

“We thank the Almighty Allah for the continued collaboration amongst the security agencies, traditional institutions and local communities. This has helped to stop criminal elements from attacking farming communities in our domain,” he said.

Another traditional ruler said the latest attack was allegedly led by a bandit identified as Rabiu, operating from the camp of Alhaji Musa Duki in Mununu Forest, Faskari LGA.

According to him, the bandits targeted residents of Unguwan Hudu village in Kakumi Ward, Bakori, but their movement was detected through intelligence reportedly received by the DSS.

He said security operatives subsequently blocked the route being used by the attackers, forcing them to abort the operation and flee.

The traditional ruler said the fleeing bandits abandoned 18 victims in their custody, comprising 14 females and four males, including children and toddlers.

He added that blood trails discovered along the escape route suggested that at least seven of the fleeing bandits may have sustained gunshot injuries during the operation.

One of the rescued victims, identified as 14-year-old Zainab Ashiru, reportedly sustained a gunshot wound and was admitted to the General Hospital, Bakori, for treatment.

The traditional rulers described the latest operation as another indication of increased cooperation between security agencies, traditional institutions and community-based security groups in efforts to disrupt banditry across Katsina State.

“We are happy with this string of successful operations. Apart from the fact that it is turning the tide against these criminals, it shows the growing collaboration between security agencies and community-based security groups to disrupt the activities of criminal elements operating across communities in Katsina State,” one of the traditional rulers said.