In a significant breakthrough in the fight against banditry, troops of Operation Fasin Yamma (OPFY) have successfully neutralized a notorious bandit kingpin known as Malam, along with four of his gang members, during a prolonged military offensive in the Kandamba-Faskari axis of Katsina State.
Military sources revealed that the operation, which spanned over a week, led to intense gun battles that forced the terrorists to abandon their positions, suffer heavy casualties, and retreat with severe gunshot wounds. In a desperate bid to conceal their losses, the fleeing criminals reportedly buried their dead in shallow graves before fleeing the area.
Troops later uncovered the makeshift burial sites and confirmed the identities of the slain terrorists, including the dreaded Malam, who had long been on the military’s wanted list. Malam was reportedly a key figure behind numerous attacks across Sabuwa, Dandume, Funtua, and Faskari Local Government Areas.
The elimination of Malam is being hailed as a major milestone in ongoing efforts to rid Katsina and its surrounding regions of violent criminal elements. Security operatives say the success of the operation is expected to significantly weaken bandit networks in the area and further intensify momentum in the military’s counter-banditry campaign.
