The Commander of the United Hunters Association in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Kabiru Sani Musa Gangara, has been confirmed dead after a fierce gun duel with bandits during a rescue operation on Sunday morning.
Gangara led a team of local hunters in a joint operation to rescue kidnapped victims from Danja Local Government Area of Katsina State, who were being moved into Kaduna territory by their abductors. The encounter reportedly took place around 7:00 a.m. in Yakawada Ward, near Unguwar Gaga, Giwa LGA.
Eyewitnesses said the hunters ambushed the bandits’ convoy following intelligence reports that the abductors were transporting their victims through a forest route linking the two states. A heavy exchange of gunfire ensued, leaving three of the bandits neutralized, including a notorious kingpin identified as Dogo Aminu, said to be operating around Galadimawa and Dabar Garke axis of Giwa.
Despite successfully rescuing three abducted women, the operation turned tragic as Commander Gangara was fatally hit in the crossfire. Several other members of the hunters’ squad sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, for treatment.
The rescued victims have since been handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Danja, Katsina State, who is working with traditional authorities to reunite them with their families.
In a condolence message, the National Commander of the United Hunters Association, Usman Taju, described Gangara’s death as “a heroic sacrifice for the peace and safety of his people,” calling on the Kaduna State Government to support the family of the deceased and provide adequate welfare for injured operatives.
At the time of filing this report, efforts to reach the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, Mansur Hassan, for official comments were unsuccessful.
Security analysts say the incident underscores the growing involvement of local hunter groups in tackling rural banditry across Northern Nigeria, often at great personal cost. They also warned that the continuous reliance on vigilante and community volunteers without proper training and protection exposes them to high risks in such dangerous operations.
Gangara’s death has sparked grief across Giwa communities, where he was revered for his courage and dedication to the fight against banditry. Locals described him as “a fearless defender who stood his ground when others fled.”