Katsina, Nigeria No fewer than 62 kidnapped victims, including women and children, have regained their freedom following a decisive airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on a notorious bandits’ camp in Katsina State.
The operation, carried out on Saturday evening at about 5:10 p.m., targeted the stronghold of a feared bandit kingpin, Muhammadu Fulani, in Jigawa Sawai community, Danmusa Local Government Area a settlement on the border with Zamfara State.
According to the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Muazu, the strike forced the criminals to abandon their camp, creating a window for the captives to escape.
Victims Regain Freedom
Out of the 62 escapees, 12 are currently receiving treatment at Matazu General Hospital, while 16 are under the care of military operatives at the Forward Operating Base in Kaiga Malamai. The rest have been accounted for and are undergoing verification.
Interviews with some of the freed victims revealed that the bandits fled in disarray during the bombardment, giving them the chance to break free. Many of them were abducted from Sayaya village on August 11, 2025, during a late-night raid by Fulani’s gang, which has long terrorised communities in Matazu, Kankia, Dutsinma, and parts of Kano State.
Government, Security Forces React
Dr. Muazu reassured residents that the government remains committed to supporting security agencies in the ongoing fight against banditry.
“Our troops are monitoring the situation to ensure more captives are rescued. The overall security condition in the affected communities remains calm,” he stated.
He added that families of the victims would be reunited with their loved ones once necessary medical checks are completed.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda praised the gallantry of the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies, reaffirming his administration’s determination to restore peace in Katsina.
Broader Security Context
The escape comes amid renewed security measures in the state, including the deployment of the NAF Quick Response Wing to flashpoint areas such as Matazu and Bakori Local Government Areas.
Residents have welcomed the development as a much-needed victory against criminal gangs that have plagued rural communities in the region for years.
