ISWAP commander, Gwaska, over 100 others killed in Katsina — Commissioner

A joint security operation by the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force has resulted in the killing of a notorious bandit leader identified as Gwaska, along with more than 100 of his fighters, during coordinated raids across parts of Katsina State.

The offensive, which took place on April 10, involved personnel from the 17th Brigade of the Nigerian Army and the 213 Forward Operating Base, supported by aerial units from the Air Force. Multiple targets were hit in bandit-infested areas including Mununu Bakai, Zango, Jeka Arera, Malali, and Ruwan Godiya—spanning Kankara and Faskari Local Government Areas.

Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mua’zu, confirmed the development in a statement released Friday in the state capital.

He described Gwaska as a significant target, noting that he was the deputy to a leader linked with the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) and had recently relocated to Mununu forest from Danmusa.

“Troops recovered and destroyed two machine guns, locally fabricated shotguns and other arms during the operation to prevent reuse by criminal elements,” he said.

Mua’zu added that the operation had significantly disrupted bandit activities across several local government areas including Faskari, Kankara, Bakori, Malumfashi, and Kafur.

In a separate incident, security operatives mounted a dawn assault on a known bandit route near Dutsen Wori along the Dandume-Kandamba Road, on the outskirts of Dandume town, which borders Faskari and Sabuwa LGAs.

That raid led to the deaths of six more suspected bandits, including a local commander, while others fled with gunshot wounds. Security personnel recovered seven motorcycles during the operation; four additional bikes were seen escaping into the bush.

According to the commissioner, the fleeing suspects were traced to their base at Maigora/Doroyi camp in Faskari. No casualties were recorded among the security forces.

Reacting to the success of the operation, Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to eliminate banditry in the state. He lauded the security forces for their bravery and emphasized the importance of community cooperation in restoring peace.

He also expressed hope that with continued synergy and divine assistance, normalcy would be restored in affected areas.

Dr. Mua’zu emphasized that the latest operations are part of an overarching strategy by security stakeholders to reclaim the region from armed criminal groups.