Katsina Police Foil Bandit Attack, Rescue 9 Kidnapped Passengers

Operatives of the Katsina State Police Command have rescued nine passengers abducted by suspected bandits along the Katsina-Kankara highway following a fierce gun battle that forced the attackers to flee.

The incident occurred on Thursday, June 12, 2026, at about 2:30 p.m. when armed bandits reportedly blocked the road at Tashar Kanya village in Kankara Local Government Area and intercepted a red commercial Volkswagen Golf III saloon car conveying 11 passengers from Dandume to Katsina.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, said the bandits forcefully abducted the occupants of the vehicle before security operatives launched a swift rescue operation.

According to the police spokesperson, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kankara Division immediately mobilised a team of officers, including personnel of the Violent Crime Rescue Unit (VCRU), to the scene after receiving a distress report.

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The operatives engaged the criminals in a fierce exchange of gunfire, compelling them to abandon most of their captives and escape into the surrounding forest.

DSP Aliyu stated that the security team’s superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres played a crucial role in the successful rescue of the victims.

The command disclosed that nine kidnapped passengers were rescued unharmed during the operation.

However, two individuals identified as Buhari Kabir and the vehicle driver, Aliyu, popularly known as “Maitakabari,” remain missing.

Police authorities said an intensive search-and-rescue operation is currently underway to locate and safely recover the remaining victims while efforts are being intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.

The latest breakthrough highlights ongoing efforts by the Katsina Police Command and other security agencies to combat banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes across the state.

In recent months, security operatives have recorded several successes against criminal groups operating in parts of Katsina State, rescuing abducted victims, recovering stolen property, and disrupting bandit hideouts through intelligence-led operations.

Commending the officers involved in the rescue mission, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Umar Fage, praised their bravery, professionalism, and dedication to duty.

He reassured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to securing lives and property and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information that would aid ongoing security operations.

The police chief further emphasized that the command remains determined to rid Katsina State of criminal elements and ensure that those responsible for violent crimes are brought to justice.

Katsina Police Foil Bandit Attack, Rescue 9 Kidnapped Passengers

DSS Foils Arms Delivery to Zamfara Bandits, Arrests Suspect in Kano

ABUJA, NIGERIA – Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against banditry and arms trafficking following the arrest of a suspected arms courier allegedly transporting weapons intended for delivery to a notorious bandit leader operating in Zamfara State.

According to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, the suspect was arrested on Friday during an intelligence-led operation in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

Security sources disclosed that the operation was carried out following actionable intelligence that exposed the movement of a cache of weapons and ammunition suspected to be destined for criminal groups operating in the North-West.

The report stated that the suspect was intercepted while allegedly transporting the arms consignment from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State to Funtua in Katsina State, from where the weapons were expected to be delivered to armed groups linked to bandit activities.

Items recovered from the suspect included three AK-47 rifles, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes and warheads, as well as two empty magazines.

Security experts describe the recovery of RPG launch tubes as particularly significant because such weapons possess greater destructive capability than conventional firearms commonly used by criminal groups. Their presence in the shipment has raised concerns about the growing sophistication of weapons being circulated among armed gangs operating in parts of northern Nigeria.

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Preliminary investigations reportedly linked the recovered weapons to a suspected bandit kingpin believed to be coordinating criminal operations from parts of Zamfara State, one of the regions most affected by banditry, mass abductions, cattle rustling, and attacks on rural communities.

According to the report, the suspect allegedly confessed during preliminary interrogation that he had been contracted to transport the weapons and was promised a payment of N450,000 upon successful delivery.

“The suspect confessed that he was contracted to transport the weapons from Maigatari to Funtua and was promised a payment of N450,000 upon successful delivery,” the report stated.

Investigators are now working to uncover the wider criminal network behind the operation, including the suppliers, financiers, transport coordinators, and intended recipients of the weapons.

Security officials believe the arrest could provide valuable intelligence capable of exposing major logistics and supply chains sustaining armed bandit groups across the North-West.

The latest seizure comes amid intensified efforts by security agencies to dismantle the logistics networks that enable terrorist groups, bandits, kidnappers, and other organised criminal gangs to acquire weapons and ammunition.

In recent months, security agencies have increased intelligence-driven operations targeting arms traffickers, informants, and criminal collaborators believed to be supporting violent groups responsible for attacks on communities, highways, schools, and rural settlements.

Analysts say cutting off access to weapons remains one of the most effective strategies for weakening the operational capabilities of criminal groups and reducing their ability to launch large-scale attacks.

The operational report described the arrest as a major success in ongoing efforts to disrupt the flow of illegal weapons into conflict-prone areas and prevent further escalation of insecurity in the region.

Authorities confirmed that the suspect remains in DSS custody and will face further interrogation as investigations continue.

Security agencies have also indicated that additional arrests may follow as efforts intensify to identify and apprehend other individuals connected to the arms trafficking network.

The development underscores the growing reliance on intelligence-led security operations to combat banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and arms trafficking across Nigeria.

As investigations progress, authorities have reassured Nigerians of their commitment to dismantling criminal supply chains and bringing all those involved in the movement of illegal weapons to justice.

DSS Foils Arms Delivery to Zamfara Bandits, Arrests Suspect in Kano

A retired senior military officer and former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd), has died while in the custody of bandits who abducted him in Katsina State.

The retired general was kidnapped alongside his wife about two weeks ago while travelling through the Matazu area of Katsina State to attend a wedding ceremony.

The Katsina State Government confirmed his death in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu, on Saturday.

According to the commissioner, the former military officer died as a result of health complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.

“The deceased retired general died a natural death from complications of diabetes and hypertension,” the statement said.

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The death of the retired officer has sparked renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of the North-West, where bandit attacks, kidnappings and killings have continued despite ongoing military operations.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda expressed profound grief over the development and extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, describing the incident as a tragic loss not only to the family but also to the nation.

The governor noted that the unfortunate development underscores the urgent need to intensify efforts against criminal groups operating in the state and neighbouring areas.

Radda reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working closely with the Federal Government, security agencies and relevant stakeholders to ensure that those responsible for the abduction are apprehended and brought to justice.

He also assured residents that the state government remains determined to eradicate banditry and safeguard lives and property across Katsina State.

Major General Abubakar, who served as Director of Defence Information during his military career, was widely respected for his contributions to national security and strategic communications.

His abduction had generated widespread concern across the country, with security agencies launching rescue operations aimed at securing his freedom and that of his wife.

As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not provided further details regarding the condition or whereabouts of his wife.