An intelligence-led operation by the Department of State Services (DSS), has resulted in the d3ath of over 60 suspected bandits in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources disclosed that one notorious bandit kingpin, Idi Abasu Aiki, believed to be responsible for several cases of attacks by bandits in the Northwest states of Katsina and Zamfara States, was among those neutralized during the operation, security analyst Zagazola Makama reported on Sunday.
According to the sources, the operation was backed by members of the Katsina State Community vigilantes and specially-trained hunters, of which four of them were killed by the bandits.
“Over 200 armed bandits led by kingpin Idi Abasu Aiki stormed Guga village in Bakori LGA of Katsina State,” one of the sources said.
“Assisted by several bandits from the Ado Aleru band in Zamfara State, the bandits were out to attack communities they believed had been supporting Community Watch Corps protecting the surrounding villages.”
Early last month, the bandits suffered heavy casualties at Dawan Laila village, Bakori LGA, in the hands of the hunters.
The bandits, therefore, were out on a reprisal mission to dislodge the frontline community’s defence group, and thereafter proceed to inflict mass casualties on surrounding villages, the source added.
“Unknown to the bandits, the DSS had water-tight intelligence plans. The over 200 armed bandits literally walked into a trap. Over 60 of them, including Idi Abasu Aiki and 14 of their top commanders, didn’t come out of that trap alive.”
Another security source disclosed that the DSS and their support security groups undertook massive clearance operation to recover weapons and other items of concern abandoned by the bandits.