Troops kill 14 suspected bandits in Katsina

Troops of the Nigerian Army have reportedly ambushed and killed at least 14 suspected bandits in Gora community in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The incident, which occurred late Tuesday night, also led to the recovery of seven operational motorcycles belonging to the suspected bandits.

It was learnt that the incident happened when bandits in their numbers tried to carry out an operation within the community and its environs.

Sources from the area told journalists on Wednesday afternoon that the bandits, armed with dangerous weapons, had ferried to the area riding two-on-two on motorcycles, and had initially tried to lay an ambush for the military operatives.

One of the sources who preferred anonymity for security concerns said, “The military operatives, aware of the bandits’ whereabouts, carried out a counter-ambush, specifically between Gora and Gidan Barau communities, and the bandits got caught in it.

“After the first ambush, some of the daredevil bandits decided to return to the incident scene with a view to recovering the bodies of their members, only to be surprised by the military in another ambush.

“At the end of the day, 14 of the bandits were killed, while seven motorcycles belonging to the bandits were recovered by the troops.”

They said that before now, bandits used to operate almost daily in some of the rural communities, kidnapping and rustling domestic animals.

When contacted, the traditional ruler of the Gora community, Alhaji Gora, as well as a traditional title holder in the council, Abdulaziz Sardauna, confirmed the incident.

However, the state government and Army, as well as the police command in the state, had yet to issue any statement regarding the incident as of the time of filing this report.(Punch)