In a dramatic show of force and precision, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), backed by coordinated ground troops, has destroyed the fortified hideout of a notorious bandit kingpin, Babaro, in Katsina State—freeing no fewer than 76 kidnapped victims, including women and children, from the grip of terror.
The successful strike, described as one of the most decisive operations against banditry in recent months, was carried out on Saturday evening at Pauwa Hill, Kankara Local Government Area—a stronghold long feared as the impregnable base of Babaro and his ruthless fighters.
Confirming the development, the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, said the targeted air interdiction, conducted between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., unleashed devastating firepower on the bandits’ enclave, crippling their networks and liberating the abductees.
“This breakthrough underscores the renewed momentum of security operations across Katsina. The precision strike dismantled Babaro’s stronghold and rescued all abductees taken during the recent attack on Unguwar Mantau in Malumfashi,” Mu’azu stated.
Tragically, the Commissioner revealed that one child lost his life during the ordeal—a sobering reminder of the human cost of the insecurity that has ravaged communities in the state.
A Renewed Onslaught Against Banditry
The daring operation is part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal hideouts, weaken bandit networks, and end the cycle of killings, kidnappings, and extortion that have tormented innocent citizens for years.
Security experts note that Pauwa Hill was not just a hideout, but a nerve centre for Babaro’s reign of terror, from where countless deadly attacks were orchestrated across Katsina and beyond. Its destruction, they believe, marks a turning point in the battle against banditry in the North-West.
The Commissioner lauded the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Army, and other security agencies for their professionalism, courage, and sacrifices in reclaiming towns and villages from criminal gangs.
> “The Katsina State Government reaffirms its unwavering support through logistics, intelligence-sharing, and community engagement. We also urge citizens to remain vigilant and provide timely information to aid ongoing operations. With the bravery of our forces and the resilience of our people, Katsina will overcome these enemies of peace and achieve lasting stability,” Mu’azu said.
The daring raid has rekindled hope among residents, many of whom have endured years of fear under the shadow of banditry. For the first time in months, communities across Katsina are beginning to believe that the tide may finally be turning in their favor.
PIONEER NEWS 