At least 62 kidnapped victims have regained freedom after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrike targeted a notorious bandits’ hideout in Jigawa Sawai, Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday. He explained that the victims escaped after the bombardment forced the criminals to flee their stronghold.
According to him, 12 of the victims are currently receiving treatment at Matazu General Hospital, while 16 others are being sheltered at the Army Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kaiga Malamai.
“The Air Force operation, conducted on Saturday at about 5:10 pm, compelled the bandits loyal to Muhammadu Fulani to abandon their camp, giving room for the captives to escape. During interviews, the victims confirmed that they scattered in different directions after the strike, with 62 successfully escaping,” the statement read.
The government disclosed that most of the freed victims had been abducted from Sayaya village on August 11 during a night raid by the same gang, which has been terrorising communities in Matazu, Kankia, Dutsinma, and parts of neighbouring Kano State.
In response to recurring attacks in Matazu and Bakori, the state government said it had deployed the Nigerian Air Force Quick Response Wing to strengthen security in affected communities.
Mu’azu assured families of the rescued victims that they would be reunited with their loved ones after undergoing medical checks. He added that Governor Dikko Radda commended the gallantry of security forces and reiterated his administration’s commitment to ending banditry in the state.
Katsina has been one of the hardest-hit states in the North-West by banditry. In May, gunmen suspected to be bandits stormed Gobirawa community in Dutsinma LGA, killing 19 people during a late-night raid.
