A top terrorist commander known as Gwaska, who was the second-in-command to a leader linked to ISWAP, has been killed alongside 100 others during a major military operation in Katsina State.
This was announced in a statement by the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, on Friday.
The statement reads, “On April 10, 2025, the Nigerian Army’s 17th Brigade and 213 Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Air Component of the Nigerian Air Force executed a coordinated strike on bandit strongholds in Mununu Bakai, Zango, Jeka Arera, Malali, and Ruwan Godiya areas spanning Kankara and Faskari Local Government Areas.”
The commissioner said the operation was based on reliable intelligence and targeted key hideouts used by criminals in the region.
He added, “The precision operation, based on actionable intelligence, eliminated a high-value target identified as Gwaska, who served as second-in-command to an ISWAP-linked leader.”
He revealed that Gwaska had recently moved from Danmusa Local Government Area to Mununu Forest, where he was tracked and killed.
“During the operation, the forces recovered and subsequently destroyed two machine guns, locally fabricated shotguns, and other weapons to prevent their reuse by criminal elements,” Mu’azu said.
He added that this successful strike has dealt a serious blow to the criminal groups terrorising communities in Faskari, Kankara, Bakori, Malumfashi, and Kafur.
In another operation, security forces attacked a bandit route around Dutsen Wori along the Dandume-Kandamba Road, near the border with Faskari and Sabuwa Local Government Areas.
“The operation, executed at approximately 3:45 am, resulted in the elimination of six bandits, including their commander, while several other bandits escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds,” the statement said.
Seven motorcycles were recovered, while four others were seen fleeing into the forest. The bandits were reportedly tracked from their base in the Maigora/Doroyi camp in Faskari.
“It’s worthy of note that no casualties were reported among the security personnel who participated in this operation,” Mu’azu added.
Reacting to the success of the operations, the state governor, Dikko Radda, reaffirmed his administration’s strong stand against insecurity in the state.
“The Governor, through the joint efforts of security forces, is committed to rooting out criminals from their hideouts and ensuring every forest is thoroughly monitored to protect the residents of Katsina.
“The Governor further expressed confidence in the ongoing collaboration between security agencies and communities, noting that with sustained efforts and divine support, peace will be restored,” the statement read.
The commissioner said the latest operations were part of a wider strategy to bring back peace and stability to Katsina and the entire Northwest region.
