By Suleiman Anyalewechi
No fewer than 76 abduction victims were on Saturday, August 23, rescued in coordinated raids on identified bandits’ hideouts, including Pauwa Hill in Kankara Local Council of Katsina State.
The air interdiction carried out by the Nigerian Air Force NAF as a direct response to the gruesome killings of worshipers in Malumfashi Local Council of the state last week by suspected banditry elements however resulted in the killing of an innocent teenager.
As at the last count, 50 people was murdered in the Katsina Mosque attack.
The attack was said to be a reprisal one and carried out while the people were observing their early morning prayers.
Following the widespread indignation and outrage provoked by the attack, the Federal Government vowed to explore all available options in bringing the perpetrators to account.
In a statement on Saturday, the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Dr Nasir Muazu informed that the air operation was part of a wider security strategy aimed at hunting down a banditry kingpin Babaro and his gang, strongly believed to be the masterminds of the dastardly Mosque attack and killings in Mantau Community, Malumfashi Local Government of the State.
He noted that the airstrikes conducted between 6am and 7 am specifically targeted Babaro’s stronghold at Pauwa Hill ,which is one of the most notorious bases that have been a source of terror to surrounding communities.
“The strike is part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal hideouts , weaken their networks, and put an end to the cycle of killings, kidnappings, and extortions that have plagued innocent citizens.
“The Katsina State Government, through the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, commends the Nigerian Air Force , the Nigerian Army ,and all security agencies for their courage and professionalism in this fight.
“Their sacrifices are steadily reclaiming Katsina towns and villages from the grip of criminals.
“We reaffirm our continued support through logistics, intelligence-sharing, and community engagement, ensuring these efforts are sustained until banditry is completely eradicated”, Muazu stated.
According to Muazu, the 76 rescued victims include those abducted during the Malumfashi Mosque attack, in addition to women and children who were used by the bandits as human shields.
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