Security forces have foiled a mass abduction attempt at Gamji Village, Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, according to a statement issued by the state Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs.
The statement said the incident occurred in the early hours of 16th October, 2026, when about 40 armed bandits led by Kachalla Alhaji Bawa Kabir, riding on 20 motorcycles, invaded Gamji Village and abducted 27 residents, mostly women, children and the elderly.
The bandits also rustled 6 cows, and shot to death a 70-year-old man, Alhaji Saleh Kasim.
However, troops of the 17 Brigade, in collaboration with local hunters and the state Community Watch Corps, immediately blocked all escape routes to the bandits’ enclave in Madaci forest.
“At about 1800hrs of the same day, troops engaged the bandits at Tashar Bawa forest and successfully rescued all 27 kidnapped victims, who were evacuated to Machika Military Forward Operating Base for medical attention.”
The statement said joint security teams have commenced clearance operations to flush out remnants of the criminal gang and prevent any reprisal attack on the community.
The government said it remained resolute and decisive in providing security to every part of the state, and commended “our gallant troops and our community security structures for this swift response”.
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