Bandits Kill Police Officers, Civilians in Katsina Attack, Abduct Five in Separate Raid

…Bandits also suffered heavy losses as they fled with several dead bodies…

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits have killed two police officers, four civilians, and abducted at least five people in two separate attacks on Unguwar Baki village and Sheme town in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the first attack occurred on February 27 at about 5:30 p.m. when about 200 heavily armed bandits stormed Unguwar Baki village, firing sporadically.

The troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, the police and the vigilante and swiftly mobilized to engage the attackers in a fierce gun battle. The security forces forced the bandits to retreat into the bush, but not before suffering casualties.

Among the fallen security personnel were Inspector Mainasara Usman (and Corporal Abubakar Iliyasu of the 27 Police Mobile Force (PMF), who were on special duty at Kadisau village. The attackers carted away one AK-47 rifle and one Type 06 rifle along with 60 rounds of live ammunition.

Additionally, four civilians, including Jibrin Yahuza, a staff member of the Katsina State Water Corporation (KSCWC), were killed in the attack. Intelligence sources revealed that the bandits also suffered heavy losses as they fled with several dead bodies on their motorcycles.

“The bandits faced strong resistance from security forces, and many of them were neutralized. Efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing criminals and recover the stolen rifles.” Said a Security source involved in the battle.

Five Kidnapped in Sheme Attack, Vigilante Leader Missing

In a separate attack on Sheme town, bandits armed with sophisticated weapons stormed the community around 1:50 a.m. on February 28, firing indiscriminately.

The joint operatives were again deployed to counter the attack. Upon sighting security forces, the bandits fled into the nearby Shawu Forest, taking at least five kidnapped victims with them.

During the exchange, a local vigilante member, Ado Isiyaku, 40, sustained a gunshot wound to the stomach and was rushed to Sheme Primary Health Center, where he is responding to treatment.

Meanwhile, the commander of the local vigilante group, Hassan Bajoga Sheme, 45, has been declared missing, with security forces launching a search-and-rescue operation to locate him.

Authorities have assured residents that efforts are being intensified to track down the attackers and rescue the abducted victims.

“We are actively pursuing the criminals. Additional troops have been deployed, and we will ensure these terrorists face justice.”he said.

Bandits Kill Police Officers, Civilians in Katsina Attack, Abduct Five in Separate Raid

Police, Vigilantes Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Niger, Bandits Flee

By: Zagazola Makama

Nigerian Security forces in Niger State have successfully rescued three kidnapped victims after a swift operation by the police and local vigilantes forced armed bandits to abandon their captives and flee into the bush.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the rescue operation followed intelligence received by the Sarkin-Pawa Divisional Police Officer (DPO) on the abduction of three individuals from Matsunta Dangunu, in Munya Local Government Area.

The victims Auwalu Usman, 30; Ya’u Aliyu, 27; and Yahuza Garba, 35 were kidnapped in the early hours of February 27, while four motorcycles were also stolen by the assailants.

Upon receiving the distress report, the DPO of Sarkin-Pawa quickly mobilized a joint team of police tactical operatives and local vigilantes to track the bandits. The security team intercepted the criminals along the Anakai exit route near Dangunu.

Sensing danger, the bandits hastily released the hostages and fled into the bush to evade capture. The three victims were safely rescued without injuries and have since been reunited with their families.

Meanwhile, security forces are intensifying efforts to recover the stolen motorcycles and track down the fleeing criminals.

A security official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to operational sensitivities said, “Our intelligence-led approach continues to yield results. The swift response of our personnel prevented these criminals from executing their plans. We will not relent until we bring them to justice.”he said.

Police, Vigilantes Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Niger, Bandits Flee

Troops Capture Notorious Bandit Leader Kachallah Hassan Nabamamu in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have captured Kachallah Hassan Nabamamu, a notorious bandit kingpin responsible for terrorizing communities in Mada, Tsafe, and other parts of Zamfara State.

Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region gathered from security sources that the operation, conducted by troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, took place on February 27 at Hegin Mahe, Ruwan Bore in Mada town, Gusau Local Government Area.

Troops launched a well-coordinated ambush, leading to a fierce gun battle in which several bandits were neutralized while others escaped with gunshot wounds. The kingpin initially fled into nearby homes but was pursued and captured alive by the security forces.

Hours after his arrest, his gang members, led by Bakin Malam, launched a reprisal attack on Chediya, Bamamu, and Makera villages, issuing threats to dislodge residents if Nabamamu was not released. The attack forced many residents to flee their homes in fear.

However, The Nigerian troops swiftly responded with superior firepower, repelling the bandits and preventing further breach of security. Additional both Air and Land troops were deployed to secure the area and prevent further incursions, while intelligence operations continue to track down fleeing gang members.

Nabamamu, originally from Tsafe, Gidan Alhaji Kaduna, started as an Almajiri before attending Model Primary School, Tsafe. He later relocated to Bamamu village, where he engaged in cattle rearing. For over 30 years, he was involved in armed robbery and later became one of the first Fulani men to openly embrace large-scale banditry in Zamfara.

He first gained notoriety after leading an armed robbery attack on the home of Sani Dan Kyaso, orchestrating multiple murders in the process. Security sources describe him as deadlier than the infamous bandit leader Ado Alero, often warning other criminals such as Dan Isuhu to stay out of his self acclaimed territory.

Nabamamu commanded a large group of fighters, carrying out brutal attacks on villages including Makera, Chediya, Agama Lafiya, Singawa, Yalwa, Rekebu, Fegen Baza, Danmarke, and Sabon Fege, as well as locations near Setraco Company in Tsafe town. His gang was also responsible for numerous kidnappings along the Gusau-Tsafe highway, turning the route into a deadly zone for travelers.

Nabamamu worked closely with other top bandit leaders, including Bakin Malam, Kachallah Mal Tukur, and Kachallah Baldu, controlling at least 100 heavily armed fighters. He imposed millions of naira in levies on villages in Tsafe LGA, ruthlessly punishing communities that failed to pay.

Security sources revealed that Nabamamu had deep ties with weapons traffickers, often securing arms from suppliers linked to foreign terror networks. Intelligence reports indicate that he was involved in coordinating supply chains that provided sophisticated firearms to criminal groups operating in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, and Niger states.

His gang was also notorious for using informants within local communities to track movements of security forces and high-value kidnap targets. Investigations suggest that he had an extensive financial network, using ransom proceeds to fund operations and maintain strong alliances with other bandit groups.

The arrest of Nabamamu is expected to significantly weaken the operational network of bandit groups in Zamfara. It is believed that dismantling his leadership structure could lead to the rescue of kidnapped victims still held by his gang.

Military operations under Operation FANSAN YANMA have intensified in recent weeks, with coordinated land and air offensives eliminating several high-profile bandits and rescuing hostages from their enclaves in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and Kebbi states.

Military officials vowed that the offensive will continue until all major bandit leaders are neutralized and peace is restored to the region.

Residents of Mada, Tsafe, and surrounding areas who have been terrorized for many years welcomed the news of Nabamamu’s arrest, expressing hope that security will improve and banditry will be brought under control.

Troops Capture Notorious Bandit Leader Kachallah Hassan Nabamamu in Zamfara