By our reporter| A notorious bandit leader, Rufai Maikaji, and members of his gang have been “neutralised” in a raid by the Nigerian Air Force in Malul Forest, Igabi LGA of Kaduna state.
Kaduna State commissioner for internal security and home affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who made the disclosure on Thursday, said painstaking checks by security agencies confirmed the killing of the bandit.
“After painstaking checks with security agencies, and careful exploitation of numerous intelligence sources, the Kaduna State government can authoritatively confirm that ‘Rufai Maikaji’, a deadly bandit has been neutralised, Maikaji said.
“Maikaji commanded more than a hundred fighters.”
According to Aruwan, the aerial mission which led to Maikaji’s death was conducted towards the end of February.
“On sighting ground troops, ‘Maikaji’ and bandits under his command, escaped from Anaba village of Igabi Local Government Area where they killed some citizens, burnt houses and kidnapped some locals,” he said.
“From further checks, ‘Maikaji’ and his group were confirmed to be responsible for the killings, kidnappings, and cattle rustling in many communities in Giwa, Igabi, and Chikun Local Government Areas.
“They are also responsible for the same crimes in Iyatawa, Garke, Kumfa, Bakali, Karau-karau, Galadimawa, Anaba, Kerawa, Hashimawa, Sabon Birni, Buruku and parts of Chikun axis of Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road.”
The gang leader, Aruwan disclosed, started out as an errand boy of bandits in Sabon Birni.
“From this position, he grew to become a household name in banditry.”
“The aggressive pursuit of other accomplices who escaped the onslaught is in full swing and they will be caught sooner than later,” he said.
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