The Kaduna State Police Command has announced that it successfully thwarted a planned attack by armed bandits in Giwa Local Government Area, resulting in the death of two suspected attackers and the recovery of weapons.
The police said the operation was carried out after credible intelligence indicated that bandits were preparing to strike Idisu village in Idisu Ward of Bayan Kogi.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, intelligence reports revealed that the armed group, allegedly led by a well-known bandit leader identified as Kachalla Sanusi Bajira, was mobilising to attack the community after residents reportedly failed to comply with an illegal levy imposed on them.
He explained that upon receiving the information, the Commissioner of Police immediately ordered operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit, in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, to move into the area to forestall the planned assault.
Hassan said that when the security team arrived at the location, they ran into the bandits who had already positioned themselves in an ambush. The suspects reportedly opened fire, leading to a gun battle between them and the operatives.
The police team, however, overpowered the attackers during the exchange, killing two of the suspects, while others escaped into nearby bushes.
Items recovered during the operation included two firearms and five rounds of live ammunition.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, praised the operatives for their courage, professionalism, and swift response, assuring residents that the Command would continue to rely on intelligence-driven strategies to combat banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes across the state.
He further cautioned criminal elements that Kaduna State would not serve as a refuge for those involved in unlawful activities, reiterating the Command’s determination to sustain pressure on criminal networks.
What you should know
Kaduna State has remained one of the regions affected by banditry and violent crimes, particularly in rural communities where illegal levies and attacks on residents have been reported.
Security agencies have increasingly relied on intelligence-led operations and collaboration with local groups such as the Civilian Joint Task Force to counter these threats.
The police say such coordinated responses are aimed at preventing attacks before they occur, restoring public confidence, and ensuring that criminal groups do not gain control over vulnerable communities.
