A high-ranking terrorist commander identified as Gwaska, who served as the deputy to a leader connected with ISWAP, has been killed along with 100 others in a major military operation in Katsina State.
The announcement was made on Friday in a statement issued by Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs.
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.”
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The commissioner stated that the operation was carried out based on credible intelligence and aimed at key hideouts used by criminals in the region.
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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 disclosed that Gwaska had recently relocated from Danmusa Local Government Area to Mununu Forest, where he was tracked down 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 further stated that this successful operation has significantly weakened the criminal groups terrorising communities in Faskari, Kankara, Bakori, Malumfashi, and Kafur.
In a separate operation, security forces targeted a bandit route near Dutsen Wori along the Dandume-Kandamba Road, close to the border between 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.
Security forces recovered seven motorcycles, and four more were spotted fleeing into the forest. The bandits were traced back to their base at 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.
In response to the success of the operations, the state governor, Dikko Radda, reiterated his administration’s firm stance 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 explained that the recent operations were part of a broader strategy aimed at restoring peace and stability to Katsina and the entire Northwest region.
