Katsina State Government through its’ Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Nasiru Danmusa said a joint military operation has successfully eliminated notorious bandit kingpin Gwaska and over 100 of his fighters in Katsina State. The operation marks a major milestone in the Katsina State Government’s intensified efforts to restore peace and security across the region.
The coordinated assault, carried out on April 10, 2025, involved troops from the Nigerian Army’s 17th Brigade and the 213 Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Air Force. Targeted strikes were executed on multiple bandit enclaves across Mununu Bakai, Zango, Jeka Arera, Malali, and Ruwan Godiya, spanning the Kankara and Faskari Local Government Areas.
According to a press statement by Nasiru Danmusa, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, the operation, launched on the strength of actionable intelligence, led to the killing of Gwaska, a high-value target and second-in-command to a leader with links to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Reports indicate that Gwaska had recently relocated from Danmusa Local Government to the Munumu Forest, where he continued to coordinate criminal activities before meeting his end.
Security personnel recovered and destroyed two machine guns, several locally fabricated shotguns, and other assorted weapons during the mission to prevent further use by criminal elements.
“This operation has dealt a heavy blow to the network of terror that has plagued our communities,” the statement read, noting that areas previously affected include Faskari, Kankara, Bakori, Malumfashi, and Kafur.
In a separate but related operation on the same day, troops launched a dawn raid around 3:45 a.m. on known bandit routes near Dutsen Wori along the Dandume-Kandamba Road. The area lies at the intersection of Dandume, Faskari, and Sabuwa Local Government Areas. Six bandits, including their commander, were neutralized, while others fled with injuries. Seven motorcycles were recovered as four others escaped into the forest.
The bandits were tracked to the Maigora/Doroyi camp in Faskari LGA. No casualties were reported among the security forces involved.
Reacting to the development, Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to defeating banditry in Katsina State.
“We will continue to support and work alongside our gallant security forces to uproot all criminal elements from our forests and communities. With collective effort and divine intervention, peace will be restored,” the Governor affirmed.
This successful operation is part of a broader security strategy in the Northwest aimed at reclaiming territories and ensuring long-term stability in Katsina and its neighboring states.
