Security operatives have successfully rescued a mother and her child following a bandit attack in Katsina State's Matazu Local Government Area, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

The joint operation involved troops of Operation Fasan Yamma (OPFY), members of the Katsina State Civilian Watch Committee (KSCWC), and local vigilantes who responded swiftly to intelligence reports about the kidnapping incident.

According to reports, armed bandits invaded Ringin Gora Village around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday and abducted 22-year-old Saratu Abdullahi and her child during the raid.

Security forces, acting on credible intelligence, immediately launched a counter-operation described as "operation fire for fire" against the perpetrators. The swift response forced the bandits to abandon their victims and flee into a nearby forest.

Sources confirmed that both the mother and child were rescued unhurt during the operation, marking another success in the ongoing efforts to combat banditry in Katsina's rural communities.

The incident highlights the continuing security challenges in parts of northwestern Nigeria, where armed groups have carried out numerous kidnappings and attacks on rural communities in recent years.

Security agencies have intensified collaborative efforts with local vigilante groups to enhance community protection and response capabilities against such attacks.

Authorities have yet to provide further details about potential arrests or the identity of the bandit group responsible for the attempted kidnapping.