The police command in Katsina says it arrested no fewer than 1,005 suspects in connection with 853 various cases of crimes between June and September.
The suspects, he said, were being interrogated and would be charged to court on completion of investigations.
According to him, the suspects were arrested based on intelligence reports.
He said officers neutralised a bandit while others fled into bushes with gunshot wounds.
The AK47-wielding herdsmen attacked the Igueben train station while passengers were waiting to board the train.
Mr Danmadami said the troops also destroyed 953 cooking ovens, 68 wooden boats, 172 storage tanks and 149 dugout pits within the period.
The kidnappers said that they abducted 10 victims, while N2.6 million was collected by the syndicate as ransom before their release.
The police spokesman said the suspects had allegedly confessed to being members of a secret cult, the Black Axe Confraternity, during a police investigation.
Police said it neutralised two of the gunmen while it was still in pursuit of other hoodlums.
“Officers killed five of the hoodlums during crossfire, while others fled with bullet injuries.”
