A popular bandits’ leader, Rufai Maikaji terrorizing some areas in Kaduna has been killed alongside dozens of his fighters during an airstrike in Kaduna State.
The death of the bandit was confirmed in a statement by the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security, Mr. Samuel Aruwan.
Aruwan said Maikaji, believed to be responsible for the killing of many innocent residents as well as kidnapping and animal rustling was eliminated during air raids by the military in Igabi Local Government Area in February.
The statement added that the bandits’ leader was killed along with several of his soldiers while they were attempting to escape bombardments by the military.
“After painstaking checks with security agencies, and careful exploitation of numerous human intelligence sources, the Kaduna State Government can authoritatively confirm that one ‘Rufai Maikaji’ a deadly bandit who commanded over a hundred fighters has been neutralized.”
‘Rufai Maikaji’, and dozens of his fighters were neutralized during air interdictions around the fringes of Malul Forest in Igabi LGA of Kaduna Central Senatorial District,” Aruwan disclosed.
The statement noted that Maikaji and his men attempted to escape when they sighted ground troops but were killed in the aerial bombardment by the troops.
“The aerial missions in which ‘Rufai Maikaji’ and his gang were neutralized were conducted in late February when he (Rufai Maikaji) and the bandits under his command, on sighting ground troops, escaped from Anaba village of Igabi LGA where they killed some citizens, burnt houses and kidnapped some locals.
“The prompt response by the air platforms ended the reign of terror maintained by ‘Rufai Maikaji’ and his bloodsucking accomplices,” the statement said.
Maikaji was said to have started off as an errand boy for some notorious bandits before becoming a kingpin in the criminal business himself.
The Commissioner promised that the Kaduna State government will continue to support security agencies in ridding the state of all criminal elements and ensure the people live a peaceful life.
“From further checks, ‘Rufai Maikaji’ and his group were confirmed to be responsible for the killing, kidnapping and cattle rustling in many communities in Giwa, Igabi and Chikun LGAs, especially in the following locations: Iyatawa, Garke, Kumfa, Bakali, Karau-Karau and Galadimawa, Anaba, Kerawa, Hashimawa, Sabon Birni, Buruku general area and parts of Chikun LGA axis of Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road.
“‘Rufai Maikaji’ is said to have begun his ignoble career as an errand boy to some deadly bandits in and around Sabon Birni general area of Igabi LGA. From this position, he grew to become a household name in banditry.
“The Kaduna State Government, military, police, DSS and all agencies have assured residents of the communities that suffered the brutality of ‘Rufai Maikaji’, that aggressive pursuit of other accomplices who escaped the onslaught is in full swing, and they will be caught sooner rather than later.
“In his response, Governor Nasir El-Rufai praised the military for taking down the bandit leader and his accomplices. The Governor further assured them of the firm commitment of the government and people of Kaduna State in the ongoing operations against the bandits throughout the state.”
Meanwhile, in a related development, gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked Kwaita community in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), shot a pregnant woman, and abducted three persons.
According to Daily Trust, the gunmen stormed the community around 11 pm on Wednesday, shot sporadically, and kidnapped the victims.
According to a resident who spoke with the newspaper, the bandits invaded the houses of their victims and whisked them away. He added that the pregnant woman was hit by a stray bullet.