The Katsina State Police Command has confirmed the successful rescue of six kidnapped farmers following a foiled banditry attack at Kwari Manaja Forest in Sabuwa Local Government Area.

Police sources said the incident occurred on June 21 at about 5:41 p.m. when armed men suspected to be bandits attacked farmers working on their respective farmlands.

The sources said that upon receiving the distress report, the DPO swiftly mobilised police tactical teams and led a convoy of Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) patrol vehicles to the scene.

The police operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to flee and abandon their captives.

As a result of the operation, the following victims were rescued unhurt: Ayuba, 51; Mubarak, 23; Garba, 25; Ibrahim, 21; Bala, 28; and Nura, 25 — all males from Tashar Nadaya Village.

The police sources hinted to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency media expert, that no casualties were recorded among the rescued victims, and efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Relatedly, a deadly clash erupted in parts of Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State following a major cattle rustling incident that left at least three persons feared dead and several others injured.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the incident began in the early hours of Saturday, June 21, when suspected rustlers stormed Gwaraje village in Igabi Local Government Area and stole about 200 cattle. The armed group reportedly moved the animals through neighbouring Kadanya and Anguwan Mairijya villages.

While escaping with the stolen livestock, the attackers allegedly shot and fatally wounded a 35-year-old woman, identified as Rahila Danzaria of Kadanya village.

Tensions escalated further when youths from Anguwan Mairijya, apparently reacting to the situation or acting on suspicion, intercepted two men — Musa Husaini and Muntari Tajo — from Gwaraje village, who were said to be trailing the rustlers. The two were severely beaten and left unconscious.

Community sources revealed that attempts to mediate or obtain information from residents in the affected villages proved difficult, as most locals were unwilling to speak out.

Police sources said they have since invited the village heads of Anguwan Mairijya and Kadanya — Sarkin Anguwan Samaila Gado and Sarkin Kadanya Obi Mairuwa — for questioning. They are currently in custody to aid investigation.

Preliminary interrogation led to the identification of one Samaila Danzaria of Anguwan Mairijya as a suspected key perpetrator. He is currently at large.

Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects, recover the rustled cattle, and locate the bodies of any victims who may have died from the attacks.

In another development, armed bandits have launched a deadly night attack on a vigilante camp in Adabka Village, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing one member of the Community Protection Guard (CPG) and injuring seven others.

Sources gathered that the attack occurred at about 10:07 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, when a large number of armed men stormed the camp and opened fire on members of the local security group.

Local sources said the assailants caught the camp off guard, leading to a brief but intense exchange of gunfire. One member of the CPG was reportedly shot dead on the spot, while seven others sustained serious injuries.

The injured were rushed to a nearby medical facility for urgent treatment, while the body of the deceased was evacuated for burial after an autopsy was conducted.

In the aftermath of the incident, security forces and community guards/vigilante groups launched joint patrols across the area to deter further attacks and reassure residents.