Traditional Leaders in Katsina State have commended the military, Department of State Services (DSS) and local vigilante groups for foiling an alleged attempt by armed bandits to abduct residents in Bakori Local Government Area.
In a statement by the DSS, the latest incident occurred in Unguwan Hudu village, Kakumi Ward, following intelligence reportedly received by the DSS, which prompted security operatives to block the route allegedly being used by the bandits.
The development came less than two weeks after security forces foiled another mass abduction attempt in Gidan Iyado, also in Kakumi Ward, where the state government said 18 bandits were killed by a combined team of security personnel and community watch corps.
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Speaking, a district head in Bakori LGA commended the security agencies and local vigilantes for their efforts to protect farming communities in the area.
“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 district head said, the bandits had attempted to abduct residents of Unguwan Hudu village but abandoned the operation after discovering that security operatives had blocked their route.
“Apparently suspecting that a security operation had cordoned off their attack route to the town, the bandits aborted their mission and fled. In the process, they abandoned 18 kidnap victims in their custody. The victims comprised 14 females and four males, including children and toddlers,” he said.
“One of the rescued victims, 14-year-old Zainab Ashiru, also sustained a gunshot injury and was admitted at the General Hospital, Bakori,” he said.
The traditional rulers described the latest operation as another indication of improved collaboration between security agencies, traditional institutions and community-based security groups.
“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.
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