The Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs wishes to inform the public of a major breakthrough recorded in the ongoing fight against banditry in Katsina State.
In the early hours of Monday, September 21, 2026, at about 0100hrs, a joint security operation comprising hunters, members of Community Watch Corps and local vigilante groups successfully ambushed and neutralized 18 armed bandits at Gidan Iyado, Kakumi Ward, Bakori Local Government Area.
The operation was intelligence-driven. Acting on credible information about planned mass abduction for ransom by the criminal group, our forces laid ambush using operational assets and engaged the bandits. The criminals were led by one Alhaji Musa Duki, a former school headmaster turned bandit kingpin operating from Mununu Forest in Faskari LGA.
Items recovered from the scene include: 1 G3 rifle, 2 AK-47 rifles, 14 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, 3 motorcycles, 2 cows and 94 sheep
No casualty was recorded on the side of our operatives.
The Ministry, on behalf of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda assures residents that a sustained covert operation is ongoing to track and neutralize the kingpin and dismantle his network completely. We will not relent until every forest and hideout is cleared.
We commend the gallantry of our hunters, Community Watch Corps and vigilante members. Their collaboration continues to prove that community-led security works.
We urge residents to continue to provide timely and credible information, as security remains our collective responsibility.
Dr. Nasir Mua’zu
Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs