By Jide Francis
Society Page Editor
Nigerian security forces have rescued 76 people kidnapped by armed criminal gangs, commonly known as bandits, in northwestern Katsina State, officials confirmed on Sunday. Sadly, one child captive lost his life during the operation.
The Operation
According to Katsina State’s Commissioner for Internal Security, Nasir Mu’azu, the rescue was carried out on Saturday when Nigerian Air Force personnel raided a camp at Pauwa Hill in Kankara Local Government Area. The mission was part of an intensified offensive against a notorious bandit kingpin and his gang suspected of masterminding recent deadly attacks.
The commissioner said the operation followed an air strike targeting the criminal group, which had attacked a mosque and nearby villages on Tuesday, killing 50 people.
“The operation successfully rescued 76 kidnapped people, including women and children. However, it was regrettably noted that one child tragically lost his life during the ordeal,” Mu’azu stated.
Banditry in Katsina and Beyond
Authorities did not disclose the number of casualties among the bandits during the raid. In previous cases, security officials have claimed successful rescues, though some families have later alleged they paid ransoms to secure the freedom of their loved ones.
Mass kidnappings for ransom have become a grim feature of life in Nigeria’s northwest and central regions. Armed gangs often target remote villages to loot, abduct residents, and extort farmers. The lucrative trade has turned cattle rustling, forced taxation, and hostage-taking into an organized criminal enterprise.
Root Causes and Growing Concerns
Banditry in northern Nigeria originally stemmed from disputes over land and water rights between farmers and herders. However, it has since evolved into a multimillion-naira criminal economy with no ideological agenda.
Security analysts warn of a troubling trend: pragmatic alliances between the bandits and jihadist groups operating in the northeast, such as Boko Haram and ISWAP. These collaborations could deepen insecurity and complicate Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
Government Response
The Katsina State government has repeatedly vowed to intensify its crackdown on bandits. Recent steps include procuring more armored personnel carriers (APCs) and appealing to the federal government for additional security reinforcements.
Despite these efforts, communities remain vulnerable, with locals often caught in the crossfire between security forces and criminal gangs.
For the rescued victims of Saturday’s operation, the relief is palpable, but the death of the young child serves as a stark reminder of the human toll of Nigeria’s worsening banditry crisis.
