Airstrikes kill over 50 bandits in joint Katsina-Kano operation

The Nigerian Air Force has eliminated at least 50 bandits in an air operation targeting areas straddling Katsina and Kano states.

The offensive focused on bandits operating around Musawa, Matazu, and Danmusa in Katsina, as well as the Tsanyawa axis in Kano.

Katsina State’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu Danmusa, confirmed the operation on Monday.

He stated that the military acted on credible intelligence, which was bolstered by information from some repentant bandits.

According to the commissioner, those killed were foot soldiers loyal to Baidu, a notorious bandit kingpin opposed to recent peace efforts in the region.

The bandits were neutralized in the Matazu area of Katsina while returning from raids on communities in Kano’s Tsanyawa Local Government Area.

Danmusa emphasized that despite ongoing peace dialogues, the government remains resolute in combating banditry.

He credited improved intelligence sharing and cooperation between security agencies, communities, and repentant bandits for the operation’s success, vowing to sustain the campaign.

Eyewitness accounts corroborated the military strikes, stating the armed men were hit while planning attacks on farms near villages between Matazu and Danmusa.

The bandits were reportedly burned beyond recognition, but were identified by recovered weapons, including magazines, ammunition, stolen phones, knives, and daggers.

While residents expressed confidence in the ongoing military offensive, they urged the government to also prioritize rebuilding communities devastated by years of banditry.

They highlighted that reconstruction, alongside reintegration and empowerment programs for affected communities and former bandits, is essential for lasting peace.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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