The Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, in collaboration with a joint security team, successfully foiled a terrorist attack on the Zakka community in Safana Local Government Area.
According to a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Kaula Mohammed, posted on his Facebook page on Saturday, the team also rescued a 33-year-old man abducted by bandits during the encounter.
Kaula-Mohammed disclosed that Radda was in Safana to inaugurate an empowerment programme sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Abduljalal Runka when the operatives received distress calls that terrorists planned to attack Zakka village.
He revealed that after receiving the intelligence report, the governor immediately called off the programme.
He wrote, "After the intelligence report on the planned terrorist attack was revealed to Governor Radda around 1 pm, he immediately called off his involvement in the colourful empowerment programme of the Katsina House of Assembly Deputy Speaker.
"Mr. Governor and some few members of his entourage then joined a combined team of security personnel, comprising men of the Nigerian Police, Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji, Ground troops of the Nigerian Army, and personnel of the Community Watch Corps, to engage the terrorists at Zakka forest, before the criminals advanced to the hills.
"A 33-year-old man was bravely rescued by the gallant troops after a heavy gun battle with the terrorists which lasted almost 30 minutes. The terrorists were fortunate to escape without suffering any casualties after their callous mission was thwarted.
"After repelling the bandits, Governor Radda directed that the abducted man rescued by troops be taken to hospital for urgent treatment, as he was shot in the leg by the bandits."