No fewer than 80 bandits have reportedly been neutralised, and several others injured, following a joint security operation in Jibia Local Council of Katsina State.

The offensive, carried out on January 4, saw the onslaught ransack five bandits? camps in the Kadoji, Matso-Matso, Bagga, Dogon Market, and Takatsaba areas. Hoodlums operating from the affected camps were said to have escalated banditry in Jibia and the neighbouring council areas of Batsari and Batagarawa.

This is even as the state government commended the joint security operation for the successful exercise. The commendation was contained in a statement issued by Dr. Nasir Muazu, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs.

It reads: ?The Katsina State government has commended the Air Component (AC) of Operation Fansan Yamma and troops of the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS, Community Watch Corps and Vigilantes for executing a successful offensive on bandits? camps in Kadoji, Matso-Matso, Bagga, Dogon Marke and Takatsaba areas of Jibia Local Government.

?The operation, conducted on 4th January 2025, followed credible intelligence revealing the establishment of bandit camps around the Local Government Area, which had escalated banditry activities in Jibia, Batsari and Batagarawa Local Government Areas.

?The joint air and ground operation resulted in the neutralisation of 80 bandits, with several others sustaining injuries. Furthermore, their hideouts and key operational facilities were also destroyed, marking a significant blow to their operational capacity.?

Meanwhile, the Danisuhu-led gunmen have imposed a N182.7 million levy on 25 communities in Zamfara State. According to local intelligence sources, failure to comply, is, threatened with attacks and other violence.

Residents of the Tsafe West council area lamented the imposition, saying: ?The security situation, with the levying of taxes and bags of assorted grains by bandits, is dire and a threat to our lives and property.? They stated that the exploitation of farmers forced them to flee their communities.

?Those who could not afford the imposed levies, however, face violent reprisals, leaving us with no choice, but to flee to safer communities in the state,? said Isa Usman, a farmer.

In a breakdown, Usman, said: ?Gajinzama community is to pay N8.5 million; Dakolo, Kane, Karda, Biya, Unguwar Danhalima, Unguwan Rogo, Jatanga, Magazu, and Tsageru are each to pay N5 million with 20 bags of soya beans,? adding that three other communities are each to pay N15 million, while two communities are each to pay N10 million.

He noted that out of the 25 communities, the bandits forced Kunchi Kalgo to pay N20 million. Usman continued: ?There are five communities in the council that are forced to pay levies between N2.5 million and N6 million to the bandits.?

Though security has improved in the Funtua-Tsafe axis and Tsafe town, villages in Tsafe Local Council are at risk of attacks and imposed taxes. The residents are, therefore, calling for federal and state governments? interventions, by deploying security personnel, with the establishment of a military post in the Tsafe West council area.

?We?re in dire need of emergency relief materials to enable us to survive banditry and taxation in the council.? (The Guardian, but headline rejigged)

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