Katsina deadly attacks: NAF neutralises 29 bandits, frees abducted victims

No fewer than 29 bandits have been killed while multiple kidnapped victims, including the daughter of the Ruwan Godiya village head, were freed, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said.

According to reports, the NAF’s breakthrough was recorded in an airstrike conducted in the vicinity of Bakori Hills and Yartsintsiya, Kankara Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State.

According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, “the airstrike resulted in the confirmed deaths of 8 bandits by gunshot wounds and 21 by bomb fragments.”

The operation, carried out in response to a recent attack on Kankara LGA on Sunday, 9 June 2024, also disrupted criminal activities in the area.

The NAF continues to collaborate with ground forces and intelligence agencies to identify and neutralize criminal elements in the region, according to Mohammed.

“The details are still emerging, but it is clear that the operation was a success and a major blow to the bandits.

“We commend the NAF for their bravery and professionalism in carrying out this operation,” he said.

It would be recalled that the terrorists had conducted deadly attacks on different villages in the Kankara local government area, which led to the deaths of police officers and scores of farmers on Sunday.

Fish out attackers of Katsina communities- President Tinubu orders security agencies

Meanwhile, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday directed the security agencies to fish out the mastermind behind the attack on two communities in Kankara LGA of Katsina state.

In a statement, Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, described the attacks as “grisly and sinister.”

He said the president sympathizes with the families of the deceased and the Katsina government

“President Bola Tinubu strongly condemns the recent spate of attacks against citizens in Dutsin-Ma and Kankara Local Government Areas of Katsina State,” the statement reads.

“While describing the latest attacks as grisly and sinister, the President emphasizes that more will be done to secure citizens and completely degrade terrorists and other harbingers of death and sorrow in any part of the country.

“President Tinubu directs security agencies to go after the assailants and ensure that they are brought to justice.”