Air strike: 62 kidnap victims escape Katsina bandits’ den – Official

The Katsina State Government has confirmed the escape of 62 kidnapped victims following a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) air strike on the camp of a notorious bandits’ kingpin, Muhammadu Fulani, in Danmusa Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Katsina. He explained that the air strike, conducted on Saturday at 5:10 p.m., targeted the Jigawa-Sawai area on the border with Zamfara State, forcing the bandits to abandon their stronghold and creating an opportunity for mass escape.

“During interviews with the rescued victims, it was confirmed that the bandits fled as a result of the air strike. The victims revealed that about 62 people escaped and dispersed in different directions,” Mu’azu said.

He noted that 12 of the victims are currently receiving medical attention at Matazu General Hospital, while 16 others are being cared for at the Nigerian Army Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Kaiga Malamai.

According to the commissioner, many of the victims were abducted from Sayaya village during a night raid on August 11 by Fulani’s gang, which has been terrorizing Matazu, Kankia, Dutsinma, and parts of neighboring Kano State.

Mu’azu added that the state government had deployed the Nigerian Air Force Quick Response Wing to Bakori and Matazu Local Government Areas to help stabilize the affected communities.

“Our troops are currently monitoring the situation for further rescue operations,” he assured, noting that the government would reunite rescued victims with their families after medical examinations are completed.

(NAN)