Police kill ‘notorious bandit leader’ in Katsina, recover ammunition

The Katsina police command says a “notorious bandit leader” has been killed following an attack on security operatives in the state.

Gambo Isah, the command’s spokesperson, announced the development in a statement on Monday. 

According to Isah, suspected bandits attacked a police team along the Jibia-Katsina road in Jibia LGA of the state around 4:30am on Monday.

He said the police team responded to the attack, adding that aside from the suspected bandit leader killed, two officers sustained injuries.

“At about 4.30 am, terrorists in their numbers, shooting sporadically with AK 47 rifles, attacked a police nipping point at Magama-Hirji junction, along Jibia-Katsina road,” the statement reads.

“The policemen engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun duel and successfully repelled them.

“One of the terrorists was neutralised, and one AK 47 rifle was recovered with four magazines containing 90 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition of AK 47 rifles. Money and other exhibits were also recovered. Many of the terrorists escaped the scene with gunshot injuries.

“Two policemen sustained injuries during the encounter. They were taken to Jibia hospital, treated, and discharged. Search parties are still combing the area with a view of arresting or recovering more dead bodies of the terrorists. Investigation is ongoing.”

The Katsina police spokesperson added that the deceased suspected bandit is suspected to have masterminded an attack in February 2022 that led to the death of Abdulkadir Rano, the divisional police officer in Jibia.

“The bandit killed has been identified as Ibrahim Dangawo, a notorious terrorist leader, terrorising Katsina and Zamfara States. His gang was suspected to be responsible for the attack in Jibia last year, leading to the killing of the former DPO Jibia, DSP Abdulkadir Rano,” he said.

“Also, unconfirmed sources revealed that six (6) terrorists were buried in the forest today.”