In a decisive military intervention in north-west Nigeria, authorities have reported the killing of notorious bandit kingpin Gwaska Dankarami and over 100 suspected followers, marking a significant advancement in the ongoing battle against organized crime in the region. The operation comes amidst ongoing efforts to combat escalating violence and abductions.
Major Blow to Banditry as Nigerian Armed Forces Eliminate Bandit Leader and Followers
Major Blow to Banditry as Nigerian Armed Forces Eliminate Bandit Leader and Followers
A significant military operation in Nigeria leads to the death of notorious bandit kingpin Gwaska Dankarami and 100 of his associates.
In a joint military operation conducted in the Munumu Forest region of north-west Nigeria, Gwaska Dankarami, a notorious bandit kingpin, was killed alongside 100 of his suspected associates, according to local authorities. Dankarami was recognized as a high-value target with reported ties to an Islamic State-related leader. His death is a part of intensified military campaigns aimed at dismantling criminal networks that have historically plagued communities within Katsina State and surrounding areas.
The announcement follows a recent series of violent incidents in which bandits kidnapped 43 villagers and killed four others in an attack on the village of Maigora in northern Katsina State. In response to these attacks, police forces had deployed additional security units in an effort to track down the kidnappers and restore order. Gwaska Dankarami’s demise is not without precedent, as he was previously reported dead by the Nigerian Air Force in 2022 during a similar crackdown.
Katsina State's Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mua'zu, hailed the operation as a critical achievement in the fight against banditry, stating, “This successful mission has significantly disrupted the criminal networks that have long terrorised communities across Faskari, Kankara, Bakori, Malumfashi, and Kafur.”
Furthermore, security forces reported the recovery and destruction of multiple weapons, including two machine guns and several locally fabricated shotguns during the mission. In a separate sequence of actions, six additional bandits, including a commander, were reported killed in an intelligence-driven operation that also led to the recovery of several motorcycles.
Katsina State, home to former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, has experienced a surge in attacks led by bandits and kidnappers, prompting the state government to emphasize its commitment to eliminating these criminal factions. Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda affirmed that the government will thoroughly monitor forests to safeguard residents and restore stability to both the state and the broader north-west region, which has seen an uptick of banditry in recent years.
The announcement follows a recent series of violent incidents in which bandits kidnapped 43 villagers and killed four others in an attack on the village of Maigora in northern Katsina State. In response to these attacks, police forces had deployed additional security units in an effort to track down the kidnappers and restore order. Gwaska Dankarami’s demise is not without precedent, as he was previously reported dead by the Nigerian Air Force in 2022 during a similar crackdown.
Katsina State's Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mua'zu, hailed the operation as a critical achievement in the fight against banditry, stating, “This successful mission has significantly disrupted the criminal networks that have long terrorised communities across Faskari, Kankara, Bakori, Malumfashi, and Kafur.”
Furthermore, security forces reported the recovery and destruction of multiple weapons, including two machine guns and several locally fabricated shotguns during the mission. In a separate sequence of actions, six additional bandits, including a commander, were reported killed in an intelligence-driven operation that also led to the recovery of several motorcycles.
Katsina State, home to former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, has experienced a surge in attacks led by bandits and kidnappers, prompting the state government to emphasize its commitment to eliminating these criminal factions. Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda affirmed that the government will thoroughly monitor forests to safeguard residents and restore stability to both the state and the broader north-west region, which has seen an uptick of banditry in recent years.
