Gun battle leaves 14 suspected bandits dead in Katsina, three travelers rescued

Fourteen suspected bandits have been killed in a gun battle with community hunters in Katsina State after armed men attacked a vehicle carrying four travellers and set it ablaze, according to the state government.

The confrontation occurred on Friday, October 23, in Gidan Wawo village, Kakumi Ward, in Bakori Local Government Area, following intelligence reports of a planned mass abduction in neighbouring communities.

Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Mu’azu Danmusa, said security authorities received information at about 1:28 a.m. that 26 heavily armed men travelling on 13 motorcycles were moving towards Dawan Laila Forest.

The armed group was allegedly led by a suspected bandit leader, Isiya Kwashen Garwa.

Acting on the intelligence, security agencies placed their operational assets across Bakori on high alert in an effort to prevent the planned abduction.

At about 1:31 p.m. on the same day, the armed men reportedly attacked a private vehicle conveying four passengers from Kakumi Ward to Illela market in Sokoto State.

The attackers set the vehicle ablaze, prompting community hunters from Gidan Wawo to mobilise and confront them in a gun battle.

The state government said the confrontation left 14 suspected bandits dead, while three of the travellers were rescued alive.

The incident also claimed the lives of a community hunter, Mohammed Ibrahim Jidda, 29, and one of the travellers, Jamilu Lawal, 50, who died after being burnt in the vehicle.

Another hunter, Usman Sunday, 25, sustained minor gunshot injuries and was receiving medical treatment, according to the government.

The reported deaths came at a cost to the local community, with Jidda killed while confronting the attackers and helping to defend residents against the threat.

Katsina government warns of possible reprisal

Authorities have also raised concerns about a possible reprisal attack following the reported losses suffered by the armed group.

Danmusa said intelligence reports indicated that the suspected bandits could attempt further attacks in response to the confrontation.

He added that the state government was working with security agencies to activate countermeasures aimed at preventing another attack and protecting communities in the area.

The government commended the community hunters and security personnel involved in the response, while urging residents to remain calm and provide credible information that could assist security operations.

The authorities said the measures were intended to contain further threats in Bakori and neighbouring communities following Friday’s violence.