Bandits kill Katsina gov’s aide, others, abduct 29

Boko Haram commander, nine others surrender to troops

Bandits have killed the liaison officer to Governor Umar Dikko Radda, Salisu Ango, and his first wife, and his second spouse abducted in Kankia Local Council of Katsina State.

The gunmen, in their numbers, also reportedly killed one person, injured another, and abducted 28 others at Shirgi community of Batsari council area of the state.

They were also reported to have rustled an unspecified number of domestic animals from the village during the attack. A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, identified the slain person as Amadu Suru, who was shot while trying to tether his animals.  He said the attackers invaded the village on Sunday night and raided several houses, adding that women and children were the main kidnapped victims.

“Many people were initially taken by the bandits, but eventually some of them escaped along the way as they were walking through thick farms. But by our count, 28 are still with them,” he said.

In a separate attack earlier, the hoodlums killed the liaison officer in Kankia Local Council during an attack on Gyaza village on Friday night. The assailants also killed Ango’s first wife and abducted his second wife.

Reports have it that the bandits raided the Gyaza community around 10 p.m., ransacking Ango’s residence, where they shot him and his wife dead. Some residents said they heard the bandits say Ango had “paid the price” for marrying the ex-wife of one of their members, despite repeated warnings.

HOWEVER,  in a breakthrough in the fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad Region, a  high-ranking Boko Haram Deputy Commander, identified as ‘Awana Alhaji Mele Keremi’, has surrendered to the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in Cross Kauwa,

Keremi, who reportedly served as the right-hand man to a notorious Boko Haram commander, confessed to his involvement in numerous operations along the Monguno-Baga axis, providing valuable intelligence to the authorities. Relatedly, MNJTF troops also welcomed Babagoni Modu and a family of eight, who managed to escape from a Boko Haram camp in Marte.

According to the spokesman of the MNJTF, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Modu, a former member of the terrorist group, cited his disillusionment with their violent activities as the reason for his escape.

He said: “The family, comprising two women, four men, and two children, recounted the harrowing experiences they endured at the hands of the terrorists before their daring escape.

“Simultaneously, MNJTF troops successfully detected and safely detonated multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Cross Kauwa, preventing potential harm to civilians and infrastructure in the area. The discovery and detonation of these IEDs highlight the vigilance and effectiveness of the troops in countering the threat posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents.

“These recent developments underscore the commitment of the MNJTF to combat terrorism and safeguard the Lake Chad Region. The surrender of a high-ranking Boko Haram figure and the successful disposal of explosive devices represent significant victories in the ongoing campaign against terrorism in the area.”