In a monumental joint military operation, Nigerian forces have reportedly killed notorious bandit kingpin Gwaska Dankarami along with 100 of his followers in the north-west region, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against banditry.
Nigerian Military Launches Successful Operation, Eliminates Bandit Leader and Followers
Nigerian Military Launches Successful Operation, Eliminates Bandit Leader and Followers
Joint forces in Nigeria target and dismantle criminal networks responsible for terrorizing communities.
The notorious bandit kingpin Gwaska Dankarami and around 100 of his suspected followers have been killed in a significant military operation in north-west Nigeria, according to local authorities. Dankarami, identified as a high-value target and alleged second-in-command to an Islamic State-affiliated leader, was reportedly hiding in the Munumu Forest during the operation. The action came as a response to a recent attack where bandits kidnapped 43 villagers, killing four in the northern Katsina State.
Prior to this incident, the Nigerian Air Force had claimed to have killed Dankarami in a similar operation back in 2022, which raises questions about the permanence of such reported victories over criminal elements. However, officials are optimistic about the latest development. Nasir Mua'zu, the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, hailed the operation as a crucial step in combating banditry, emphasizing the disruption of long-standing criminal networks impacting various communities, including Faskari and Kankara.
In the same military effort, security forces reported recovering and destroying two machine guns and several locally made shotguns. In an earlier operation on Thursday, six additional bandits, including a commander, were killed, while seven motorcycles were seized from those who managed to escape.
Governance in Katsina, the home state of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has faced challenges due to rampant attacks, leading the state governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, to reiterate the government's commitment to eradicating criminal activities and improving security across the region. This recent military action is part of a concerted effort to restore stability and safety in the area, which has been plagued by banditry for years.
Prior to this incident, the Nigerian Air Force had claimed to have killed Dankarami in a similar operation back in 2022, which raises questions about the permanence of such reported victories over criminal elements. However, officials are optimistic about the latest development. Nasir Mua'zu, the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, hailed the operation as a crucial step in combating banditry, emphasizing the disruption of long-standing criminal networks impacting various communities, including Faskari and Kankara.
In the same military effort, security forces reported recovering and destroying two machine guns and several locally made shotguns. In an earlier operation on Thursday, six additional bandits, including a commander, were killed, while seven motorcycles were seized from those who managed to escape.
Governance in Katsina, the home state of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has faced challenges due to rampant attacks, leading the state governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, to reiterate the government's commitment to eradicating criminal activities and improving security across the region. This recent military action is part of a concerted effort to restore stability and safety in the area, which has been plagued by banditry for years.
