At least four people have been killed by bandits during an attack on Katarma community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The bandits also abducted some indigenes of the community mostly women during the attack.
According to a statement by the Kaduna state commissioner for internal security and home affairs, Samuel Aruwan, the bandits were initially engaged by local vigilantes who defended the village just before troops were mobilized to the location.
He said that four persons including vigilantes were killed in the gunfight, with three others injured.
The commissioner however disclosed that all the kidnapped women were rescued by troops.
He also explains that in response to the attack, air platforms of the Nigerian Air force were swiftly mobilized for armed missions over Katarma village, and Kusasu village in neighboring Niger State.
According to him, While ground troops headed to the location, the air component went ahead and neutralized several bandits as contained in the operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government.
According to the feedback, bandits were sighted at Katarma, clustered amid large herds of cattle, with others fleeing the location on motorcycles. They were quickly engaged by the fighter jet and neutralized.
During armed reconnaissance over neighboring Kusasu village, bandits on motorcycles were sighted fleeing from the aircraft and were engaged, as some abandoned their motorcycles and took cover in the Bush.
Similar operations according to the commissioner were conducted over Albasu, Rahama, Sabon Birni, Kaya, Rikau, Galadimawa, Kerawa, Kidandan, Yadi, Dogon Dawa, Ngede Allah and several other communities.
Meanwhile, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has condoled with sent his heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed by bandits at Katarma, and prays for the repose of their souls.
The Governor further expresses satisfaction with the operational feedback and commended the military for sustaining the tempo in taking the fight to the bandits’ enclaves.
