• Katsina gov visits Yannasarawa after bandits killed eight, kidnapped 45
• Hunters, vigilantes rescue 40 kidnap victims in Taraba
In a series of violent clashes in Zamfara State, at least five prominent bandit leaders and 48 of their fighters were reportedly killed by the Ado Allero group.
The confrontations took place on Sunday in Mada village in Gusau, Yan Waren Daji, and Munhaye in the Tsafe Local Council, The Guardian gathered.
Counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed that the conflicts began in the early hours of Sunday.
“They were initiated by the Dogo Bali and Kachallah Mai Yankuzu groups, leading to a significant number of casualties, including the leader, Bali, who orchestrated the initial attack,” he said.
Intelligence sources informed him that Bali’s death prompted retaliatory strikes from rival factions, which advanced into the forest from Hayin Alhaji to Munhaye within Tsafe, seeking vengeance for Bali.
“In response, Kachalla Mai Yankuzu reached out to Ado Allero, who quickly mobilised hundreds of fighters for the confrontation. However, upon their arrival at the Yan Ware camp in Tsafe, the bandits were caught in a deadly ambush laid by Allero’s forces.
“The ensuing melee lasted hours, during which Allero’s group managed to kill many bandits, including four prominent leaders: Dan Makaranta, Malam Gainaga, Mallam Tukur, and Malam Jaddi. Injured fighters were taken to a clinic in Mada village for treatment,” he added.
KATSINA State Governor, Dikko Radda, has paid a condolence visit to Yannasarawa village in Faskari Local Council following a brutal attack by armed bandits that left eight people dead and missing in the community.
The attack, which occurred last week, claimed 10 houses and 12 shops.
Eight vehicles were also razed during the attack.
Radda, represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abdullahi Faskari, sympathised with the bereaved families and reaffirmed his commitment to combating banditry and other criminal activities in the state.
He pledged to continue the fight against “undesirable elements” until the state is free from violence.
Residents appreciated the governor’s commitment to fighting terrorism, but called for more security personnel to be deployed to their villages and reconstruction of the road leading to the community from Daudawa.
MEANWHILE, in a daring rescue operation, a coalition of professional hunters and vigilantes has liberated 40 kidnap victims in Taraba State.
This was announced, yesterday, by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Jalingo Command, during a briefing where the freed captives were presented to journalists.
The Commissioner of Police, David IIoyalonomo, confirmed that all the rescued victims, belonging to the Mumuye ethnic group, were freed from captivity in Yorro and Zing local councils.
The decision to engage professional hunters and vigilantes, he disclosed, marked a strategic shift in the fight against criminal activities for concrete outcomes within the state.
IIoyalonomo, while addressing the media, also showcased 10 suspected kidnappers apprehended by the police anti-kidnap team in Ardo-Kola Local Council.
