By Bashir Bello

KANO — Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed a vigilante member and abducted six people in an attack near Goron Dutse, Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State.

Confirming the incident, Chairman of the Faruruwa Community and Environs Security Committee in Shanono LGA, Yahaya Bagobiri, said the attackers struck on Saturday night, killing one vigilante and injuring three others.

According to Bagobiri, two of the injured victims were treated and discharged, while one remains hospitalised. He added that the assailants also rustled more than 40 cattle belonging to villagers during the raid.

“On Saturday night, around 11pm, the bandits invaded the area near Goron Dutse. We saw their motorcycles but we do not know if any of them were killed. They returned this morning, possibly to retrieve the motorcycles or the bodies of their colleagues,” Bagobiri said.

He further disclosed that six persons were abducted during the attack.

In a swift response, the Nigerian Army said troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Faruruwa, operating from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Yankwada, foiled a related attack at Ungwan Dogo and Ungwan Tudu communities after a fierce gun battle.

Spokesperson of the 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Captain Babatunde Zubairu, said the troops acted on credible intelligence about the movement of armed bandits from Daurawa in Kira Local Government Area of Katsina State towards the Kano axis.

“In the early hours of December 28, 2025, at about 1:00am, troops of Joint Task Force Faruruwa operating from FOB Yankwada received a tip-off on the movement of armed bandits towards the Kano/Katsina border,” Zubairu said.

He explained that the troops engaged the bandits at Ungwan Dogo and Ungwan Tudu, forcing them to withdraw in disarray towards Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

During the operation, a 38-year-old kidnap victim, Rabiu Alhaji Halilu, was rescued. Zubairu said Halilu sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and was evacuated to the JTF Faruruwa Medical Centre for treatment.

The army also recovered two motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing bandits, as well as an undisclosed number of cattle.

Zubairu assured residents that troops remain on high alert as operations continue to secure the affected communities and surrounding areas.