An apparent attack on a community in Katsina state by suspected bandits have left, at least, twenty-four (24) people dead and several others injured. This latest spate of attack happened in Unguwar Sarkin Noma community of Sabuwa local government area of the state.
Most of those killed, reports say, were mostly vigilante members who were recruited early on to respond to the attack.
Local security officials said during the attack which lasted for about an hour, four villages were raided by the hoodlums in what was described as reprisal attacks over military offensives on the bandits’ hideouts.
The attackers reportedly stormed the villages of Unguwar Sarkin Noma, Gangara, Tafi and Kore at about 9:00 pm shooting sporadically to scare residents.
The chairman of Sabuwa local government council, Faruq Dalhatu, confirmed the attack and said 23 of the victims have since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
“Upon hearing of the bandits’ mission to attack the Local Government Council, we swung into action by informing virtually all the security agencies.
“They (security agencies) all responded to our distress call and availed themselves to the community. Before you know it, the Bandits raided the community and killed these people.
“Twenty-three people were buried from the beginning, in accordance with Islamic rites, and the last victim was conveyed from the hospital after he was certified dead,” the council chair said.
He added that the last victim was also conveyed for burial from the hospital after he was certified dead.
Late last week, the governor of the state, Umar Dikko Radda, had described banditry in the state as “a business venture”.
The governor said “Now it has turned out to be a business venture. A business venture for the criminals, some people who are in government; and some people who are in security outfits, and some people who are responsible for the day-to-day activities of their people. These are so many reasons why we are unable to bring banditry to an end.”
Police authorities are yet to comment on the attack.