By Jelili Gbadamosi
A planned large-scale attack on communities in Katsina State was reportedly thwarted after operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), backed by the Katsina State Community Vigilantes and local hunters, ambushed suspected bandits in Bakori Local Government Area, killing more than 60 of them, including a notorious kingpin, Idi Abasu Aiki.
The operation, reported by security analyst Zagazola Makama, was based on intelligence indicating that over 200 heavily armed bandits had mobilised to launch a reprisal attack on communities accused of supporting local security groups.
According to the report, the armed group, allegedly led by Idi Abasu Aiki and reinforced by fighters linked to the Ado Aleru network in Zamfara State, stormed Guga village with plans to attack residents believed to be collaborating with Community Watch Corps protecting surrounding villages.
Makama said the bandits were unaware that security operatives had already laid an ambush following actionable intelligence.
“Over 60 of them, including Idi Abasu Aiki and 14 of their top commanders, were killed after they walked into the security trap,” the report stated.
The planned assault was reportedly in retaliation for an earlier clash in Dawan Laila village, where local hunters had inflicted significant casualties on the bandits.
Despite the success of the operation, four members of the Katsina State Community Vigilantes and local hunters were reportedly killed during the fierce gun battle.
Security personnel later carried out clearance operations in the area, recovering weapons and other items abandoned by the fleeing bandits.
The incident underscores the growing reliance on intelligence-driven operations and collaboration between security agencies and local vigilante groups in the fight against banditry in northwestern Nigeria.
