Banditry: Troops rescue islamiya children, recover rustled cattle in Katsina

Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI in conjunction with Police and local vigilante deployed at Dandume LGA of Katsina State have rescued scores of Islamiya children and recovered a herd of cattle from bandits in the state.

According to the Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, the troops received a distress call at about 11:30 PM on 19 December 2020 from locals at Mahuta village that suspected bandits were moving with unconfirmed numbers of Islamiya children mostly girls and rustled cattle.

‘The children were returning from Maulud programme at Unguwar Al- Kasim village at Dandume.

”In reaction to the distress call, troops quickly mobilized to the scene, laid ambush and blocked bandits’ route along Daudawa-Kadisau and road Sheme Mairuwa and Unguwar Audu village.

‘While patiently waiting for the bandits at the ambush and blocking position, troops established contact with bandits and engaged them.

”During the fierce battle, troops superior fire power forced bandits to abandon the children and the rustled cattle thereby forcing the bandits to flee in disarray into the forest.

‘The troops thereafter, searched the general area and rescued the 39 kidnapped girls in addition to the recovery of 8 rustled cattle. The victims have been reunited with their families while the recovered cattle handed to the owners.

‘Troops have dominated the general area with aggressive patrol to forestall further occurrence.” He added.

He commended the gallant troops and other security agencies for their sustained successes, while equally appreciating the locals and vigilantes for the cooperation in tackling the insecurity in Katsina State.