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At least 45 suspected bandits were killed during a fierce gun battle with troops of the Nigerian Army in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.Â
The clash was disclosed on Saturday in a statement by the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mua’zu.
According to the statement, the operation followed credible intelligence gathered by security personnel about the movement of armed bandits in the area.
Among those reportedly killed during the confrontation were two high-profile members of the bandit group, including Alti, described as the nephew and deputy to notorious bandit leader Adamu Alieru, as well as another senior bandit identified as Damale.
It added that the violence began on March 5 when armed bandits from Zamfara State rode into Alhazawa village on motorcycles in an attempt to rustle cattle.
Residents of the community, supported by repentant bandits in the area, reportedly resisted the attackers, killing four of them and recovering the stolen cattle, which were later returned to their owners.
The statement added that the bandits regrouped and returned the following day to retaliate. However, while heading towards Musawa LGA near Maidabino A ward, they encountered soldiers stationed at the Army’s Forward Operating Base in Dan Ali.
An intense gunfight then broke out between the troops and the bandits, during which the soldiers succeeded in neutralising about 45 of the attackers.
The statement read, “Among those killed was Alti, the nephew and second-in-command to the notorious bandit leader, Adamu Alieru. Also eliminated was another top bandit known as Damale.
“The clash began when bandits from Zamfara State, armed with sophisticated weapons and riding on motorcycles, attacked Alhazawa village in Musawa LGA on March 5. They came to steal cattle.
“However, community members and repentant bandits from the area fought back. Four bandits were killed, and all the rustled cows were recovered and returned to their owners.
“Seeking revenge, the bandits returned in large numbers on March 6. They ran into soldiers attached to the Army’s Forward Operating Base in Dan Ali while heading towards Musawa LGA near Maidabino A ward.
“What followed was an intense and fierce battle. The Army successfully neutralised all 45 bandits.”
Despite the success of the operation, the army suffered casualties as Captain Paul Hassan and two other soldiers were killed during the exchange.
Mua’zu, speaking on behalf of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda and the people of Katsina State, praised the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers, noting that their actions prevented further loss of lives and disrupted the activities of the armed groups.
He also conveyed the state government’s condolences to the families of the fallen personnel, while assuring that security forces would continue operations against criminal groups until peace is restored across Katsina State.
