Bandits on the rampage in Katsina, farmers, vigilantes killed

In multiple strikes, bandits have killed more than 26 people in Katsina State, with the casualties recorded in  Dan Musa, Faskari and Batsari local government areas.

According to reports, the bandits riding motorcycles carried out the attacks on Tuesday.

The report said  11 persons were  killed in  Sabon Layin Galadima community of Faskari LGA, while five persons were killed at Mara Zamfarawa village in Dan Musa LGA with many animals rustled.

Eighteen farmers were killed on their farmlands in  Yar Gamji village of Batsari LGA. There are 10 people still missing.

The police in Katsina State, however,  confirmed that five persons who are members of the local vigilante were killed by bandits in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State on Tuesday.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Gambo Isa made the disclosure in a statement.

He said that the killings occurred at Sabon-layi village of the local government area when members of vigilante group popularly called “Yan sakai” entered into a forest and engaged the bandits in a fight.

According to him, the bandits killed the vigilante members during the encounter.

He said that the police search team led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area evacuated the corpses and discovered a bandits camp inside the forest that was abandoned by the criminals.

The police spokesman said a manhunt for the  bandits has begun.

Meanwhile, Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State has sympathised with people of Batsari Local Government Area, where 18 farmers were killed.

Masari, who addressed some people of the area who went to Government House to complain of the incessant killing of their people by bandits, said that his administration was doing all it can to stop the killings.

“I feel it better than you feel, because I know Allah will ask me on the Day of Judgement.

“It is our duty to protect lives and property in the state, yet, this is what is happening, we are doing our best.

“You bear me witness that wherever such incident occurred, I visit the community and tell them our commitment toward addressing the menace.

“We are going to table the problem of insecurity challenges bedevilling all the northern states before Mr President tomorrow,” he said.

The governor said that protest will not solve the problems, urging them to remain calm, as the government was doing its best to end the menace.

The leader of the people, Aminu Ruma, told the governor that the victims were killed in their farmlands in Yar-gamji village of Batsari Local Government Area.

Ruma said that some farmers were still missing, following the attack.

The community leader said the bandits also rustled some cows that belonged to the victims.

He said that the security agents later evacuated the corpses and brought them to the palace of the District Head of Batsari.

“People of Batsari, Safana and Danmusa Local Government Areas will not plant crops this year for fear of bandits attack,” he said.

He, therefore, urged the government to hasten in taking measures that would end insecurity challenges bedevilling the areas