In a significant breakthrough against banditry in the Northwest, a joint military operation has led to the elimination of the notorious bandit kingpin, Gwaska, along with over 100 of his fighters across multiple locations in Katsina State. The successful offensive, which took place on April 10, 2025, marks a major victory for the Nigerian military in their ongoing battle against criminal groups terrorizing the region.
The operation was carried out by troops from the Nigerian Army’s 17th Brigade and the 213 Forward Operating Base, with critical air support provided by the Nigerian Air Force. The coordinated attack targeted known bandit hideouts spread across the Kankara and Faskari Local Government Areas, which have been hotbeds of bandit activities in recent months. The operation focused on the areas of Mununu Bakai, Zango, Jeka Arera, Malali, and Ruwan Godiya, all known to be key strongholds of bandit groups operating in the state.
Dr. Nasir Mua’zu, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs in Katsina, confirmed the operation’s success and revealed that the high-profile bandit leader, Gwaska, was neutralized during the raid. Gwaska had long been a target for security agencies due to his role as the second-in-command to an ISWAP-linked leader. According to Mua’zu, Gwaska had relocated from Danmusa to the Mununu forest, a known criminal hideout, prior to the operation. His death is seen as a major blow to the organized criminal network operating in the area.
As part of the operation, troops were able to recover and destroy significant weapons caches, including two machine guns and several locally fabricated shotguns. These weapons were confiscated in an effort to prevent them from being reused by other criminal elements in the region. Mua’zu emphasized that this operation dealt a major blow to the bandits who have caused widespread fear and instability in the area, particularly in the local government areas of Faskari, Kankara, Bakori, Malumfashi, and Kafur.
The military’s actions have disrupted the bandit networks that have long terrorized these communities, with many bandits either killed or forced to flee deeper into the forests. This latest victory represents a significant achievement in the government’s ongoing campaign to restore peace and security to the state.
In a related development, security forces also launched an operation along a known bandit route at Dutsen Wori, located on the Dandume-Kandamba Road, near the border between Faskari and Sabuwa Local Government Areas. The raid, which began around 3:45 a.m., led to the elimination of six more bandits, including their commander. Several others managed to escape with gunshot wounds, but the operation also led to the seizure of seven motorcycles, while four others were abandoned by the fleeing bandits.
Mua’zu stated that the bandits were tracked from their base at the Maigora/Doroyi camp in Faskari LGA, where the security forces had been monitoring their movements for some time. No casualties were reported among the security personnel during the operation, which has been hailed as a successful strike against banditry in the region.
The latest military success comes after several months of heightened efforts to combat the rise of banditry and kidnapping across the Northwest. Katsina State, in particular, has been severely affected by the activities of bandits who have engaged in armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom, and indiscriminate killings. In addition to the direct loss of life, these criminal groups have displaced thousands of people and left many communities in a state of fear and insecurity.
The Nigerian government, along with various state governments in the Northwest, has repeatedly vowed to tackle the growing problem of banditry and restore normalcy to affected regions. The military’s most recent action is part of a broader strategy to weaken the bandit factions and prevent further escalation.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State was quick to praise the efforts of the security forces involved in the operation, commending their dedication and bravery. In a statement following the success of the military operation, Governor Radda reiterated his administration’s commitment to eradicating banditry in the state, stressing that collaboration between the government, security agencies, and local communities was crucial for achieving lasting peace.
“The government remains committed to ensuring the security and well-being of all Katsina residents. We will continue working closely with our security agencies and the people to ensure that bandits no longer have a foothold in our state,” the governor said. He also expressed optimism that, with sustained efforts and cooperation, peace and stability could be restored to the affected areas.
Governor Radda acknowledged the role of the military in the operation and emphasized that such decisive actions were necessary to restore public confidence and disrupt the criminal networks that have flourished in the region for far too long.
The successful operation in Katsina is part of a larger effort to reclaim the state and the entire Northwest region from criminal elements. Mua’zu stated that the Nigerian government was focused on restoring law and order, using a combination of military, law enforcement, and community-based strategies. He added that the military’s efforts were aligned with broader efforts by security stakeholders to push back against the threat of banditry, armed robbery, and kidnapping across the region.
“The government is committed to bringing lasting peace to the state, and this operation is just one example of the measures being taken to eliminate banditry. We will continue to pursue these criminals until they are no longer a threat to our people,” Mua’zu said.
While the security forces have made significant strides in addressing the bandit menace, the government is mindful of the need to continue its efforts to safeguard communities from future attacks. The fight against banditry is far from over, but recent successes have brought a glimmer of hope to communities that have long been ravaged by violence.
