Security forces score victories against bandits in Sokoto, Niger

In a significant boost to regional security, forces in Sokoto and Niger States have successfully repelled attacks, rescued kidnap victims, and dismantled criminal networks in a series of coordinated operations.

In Sokoto State, troops from Operation FANSAN YANMA decisively repelled an armed bandit assault on Gidan Koro village in Kwargaba District.

The incident occurred late Tuesday night, November 27, when a large group of attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, invaded the community.

The assailants opened fire indiscriminately, abducted several residents, and rustled livestock.

However, a swift military response led to a fierce gun battle that forced the bandits to retreat into nearby bushes, many believed to be carrying gunshot wounds.

The operation resulted in the successful rescue of all abducted victims, who were found unharmed.

The rustled livestock were also recovered after being abandoned by the fleeing criminals.

Authorities confirmed that no casualties were suffered by either villagers or security personnel.

In a separate operation in Niger State, police have arrested four key suspects in connection with the abduction of ten people between Koso Likoro and Soba villages in Mashegu Local Government Area.

The arrested individuals, identified as Sanda Dan, Mallam Wantau, and Atiku, were tracked to a hideout in the Ibbi Forest. Subsequent interrogations led investigators to several accomplices: Buba Maiyara, Mantile Alh. Majo, and Bilya Musa Baushe.

The investigation deepened with the arrest of Manu Malami Shehu Maiyara, who confessed that his son, Buba Maiyara, and his associates were responsible for a string of kidnappings and cattle rustling in the area.

Authorities have stated that the case remains under active investigation as security forces intensify their campaign to dismantle kidnapping and banditry networks across the region.

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.

See author's posts