Two notorious bandit leaders in Katsina State are said to have surrendered their arms with over 15 kidnapped victims in their captivity in Batsari Local Government Area of the State.

The bandit leaders were identified as Abu Radde and Umar Black.

Many have attributed their surrender to the intense military operations conducted by the combined forces of Operation FANSAN YANMA and other security agencies in the area.

Security sources told Channels Television on Monday that the surrender ceremony held on Sunday was widely attended by key stakeholders, comprising some representatives from the military, and traditional and religious leaders in the area.

The source explained that the surrendered bandit leaders further handed over four AK-47 rifles and fifteen captives, comprising three males, and eight females, alongside four children, who have been rescued and are now in the care of the local government authorities for rehabilitation and aftercare.

He described their surrender as not only a significant milestone in the fight against banditry and criminality but also a crucial step towards the bandits’ complete disarmament and the release of all kidnapped victims in the region.

The surrendered arms were kept in the custody of the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Katsina, to ensure that they would no longer be used to perpetrate crime or violence in the area. (Channels TV)