Over 40 Bandits Killed as Security Forces Repel Major Attack in Katsina

More than 40 suspected bandits were reportedly killed when security forces repelled a large-scale attack on Guga community in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The attackers, numbering more than 200 and reportedly led by notorious bandit kingpin Idi Abasu Aiki, stormed the community in the evening of July 26 in what security authorities described as a reprisal attack.

Sources said the assailants were reinforced by members of the criminal network associated with Ado Aleru from neighbouring Zamfara State.

The attackers were reportedly targeting local hunters and members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, who had been providing security for communities in the area. Intelligence indicated that the bandits intended to dismantle the local security structure before extending their attacks to Bakori town and surrounding villages.

Security forces, however, were alerted to the planned assault and mounted a coordinated response. The ensuing confrontation developed into a fierce gun battle, forcing the attackers to withdraw after suffering heavy casualties.

More than 40 bandits were reportedly killed, while follow-up intelligence indicated that several senior commanders of the criminal group were also eliminated.

Idi Abasu Aiki, the reported leader of the assault, was said to have sustained serious, potentially life-threatening gunshot injuries during the encounter. His death, however, could not be independently confirmed at the time of reporting.

The clash followed an earlier confrontation on July 7 at Dawan Laila village in Bakori, where the same criminal network reportedly suffered significant losses in an encounter with local security volunteers.

The latest operation also came at a cost to the community-based security personnel. Reports indicated that members of the hunters’ team were killed after being caught away from the frontline during the attack.

Following the battle, security personnel commenced clearance operations around the affected communities to recover weapons and other items abandoned by the fleeing attackers. Surveillance and patrols were also intensified to prevent further attacks and possible reprisals.

Authorities said normalcy had been restored in Guga and neighbouring communities, while security forces continued operations aimed at containing criminal groups operating along the Katsina-Zamfara axis.