Troops Rescue Two Victims, Launch Manhunt After Bandits’ Attack on Katsina–Kaduna Border

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have rescued two kidnapped victims and launched a manhunt for suspected bandits following an attack along Gadar Iya axis on the border between Katsina and Kaduna States.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. on May 1 when heavily armed bandits blocked the road and abducted occupants of two vehicles a Mitsubishi Canter truck and a Toyota Corolla.

The sources disclosed that the attackers kidnapped about five unidentified occupants from the truck, along with six passengers from the Toyota Corolla identified as Isiya Abubakar, Sufiyanu Gide, Rabi Isiyaku, Harira Isiyaku, Jamila, and Maliki Muhammad.

According to the sources, troops swiftly mobilised to the scene, secured the area, and commenced aggressive clearance operations.

They added that during the operation, two victims Muhammad Sani, 60, from Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and Khadija Isiyaku, 25, from Keffi in Nasarawa State were successfully rescued.

The sources further said the affected vehicles were evacuated to a secure location, while ongoing cordon-and-search operations are aimed at rescuing the remaining victims and apprehending the fleeing suspects.

Security presence has been intensified along the axis to prevent further incidents.

Troops Rescue Two Victims, Launch Manhunt After Bandits’ Attack on Katsina–Kaduna Border

One Killed as Security Forces Repel Bandit Attack in Katsina

By Zagazola Makama

A 21-year-old man, Musa Bashir, has been killed during a bandit attack on Unguwar Kanawa village in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 9:50 p.m. on May 1 when a large number of heavily armed bandits invaded the community.

The sources disclosed that security operatives, supported by military personnel and local security groups, were swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun duel.

According to the sources, the bandits were overpowered and forced to retreat into a nearby forest following the exchange.

They added that during a post-attack assessment, Musa Bashir was found fatally shot.

The sources further said the victim’s body was evacuated to the General Hospital in Dandume, where he was confirmed dead by medical personnel.

Security teams have since launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects, with intensified patrols ongoing in the area.

One Killed as Security Forces Repel Bandit Attack in Katsina

Abuja Drug Crackdown: NDLEA Dismantles Major Bunks, Arrests 132, Seizes 220kg Illicit Drugs

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria’s anti-narcotics war recorded a major breakthrough in the Federal Capital Territory as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) dismantled multiple drug hubs across Abuja and its outskirts, arresting 132 suspects and recovering over 220 kilogrammes of illicit substances in a sweeping two-week offensive.

The operation, described as one of the most coordinated crackdowns in recent months, was executed between April 11 and 25 by operatives of the Agency’s Directorate of Operations and General Investigation in collaboration with the FCT Strategic Command.

According to a statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the clear out followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance targeting entrenched drug networks fueling substance abuse and criminality in the nation’s capital.

He said the raids cut across some of Abuja’s most notorious hotspots, including Torabora Hills, Area 3, Gwarinpa, AYA, Durumi, Banex, Dei-Dei, Kubwa, Apo, Kwali, Gwagwalada, Wuse Zone 4, Garki Area 10, Jabi, and the Suleja axis, where heavily fortified drug joints and distribution points were uncovered and dismantled.

A breakdown of seizures revealed a dominant cache of 214.79 kilogrammes of skunk, alongside significant quantities of controlled and hard drugs, including Diazepam, Exol, Tramadol, Mogadon, Cocaine, Rohypnol, Methamphetamine, Ecstasy, and bottles of codeine syrup—substances authorities said are widely abused and linked to rising cases of addiction and violent crime.

The agency disclosed that operatives encountered stiff resistance in parts of Durumi Area 1 and the Suleja market axis, where suspected traffickers attempted to repel the raids. However, the superior coordination and tactical response of NDLEA officers neutralized the threats and dismantled the networks without casualties.

Briefing the agency’s leadership, Director of Operations and General Investigation, Ahmed Sule Ningi, praised the discipline and professionalism of the operatives, stressing that sustained enforcement is critical to consolidating the gains achieved and preventing a resurgence of drug networks.

Reacting to the outcome, NDLEA Chairman, commended the officers involved and described the operation as a decisive step toward reclaiming Abuja from the grip of drug syndicates. He ordered the immediate replication of the operational strategy across other high-risk urban centres, signaling a broader national offensive against illicit drug trade.

Marwa emphasized that dismantling supply chains must go hand in hand with efforts to reduce demand, warning that drug cartels would continue to face sustained pressure as the agency intensifies its nationwide crackdown.

The latest operation underscores growing urgency by authorities to confront Nigeria’s deepening drug problem, with Abuja increasingly identified as a strategic hub for distribution networks.

Abuja Drug Crackdown: NDLEA Dismantles Major Bunks, Arrests 132, Seizes 220kg Illicit Drugs