31killed, 13 injured in Taraba, Katsina, Imo
Gunmen have struck in Taraba, Katsina and Imo states killing 31 persons and injuring 13 others. The police in Katsina State confirmed 11 people were killed and 13 others injured when bandits attacked Katoge and Yanturaku communities in Batsari Local Government Area of the state. Bandits ambush police team in Zamfara, gun down 7 officers […]
Bandit Rampage
Gunmen have struck in Taraba, Katsina and Imo states killing 31 persons and injuring 13 others.
The police in Katsina State confirmed 11 people were killed and 13 others injured when bandits attacked Katoge and Yanturaku communities in Batsari Local Government Area of the state.
The police spokesman in Katsina, SP Gambo Isah, in a statement, said the attack occurred around 7:15pm on Tuesday when bandits stormed the community.
Daily Trust reports that many properties were burnt down in the fresh attacks on the communities.
The attack, which reportedly began Tuesday evening and lasted into the early hours of Wednesday, saw dozens of houses including government structures and vehicles set ablaze.
When contacted, the member representing Batsari in the Katsina State House of Assembly, Jabir Yauyau, said he heard about the unfortunate incidents but did not have details because of lack of telecommunication network in the area.
In another attack, five people were killed when gunmen attacked Anara community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State Tuesday night.
Our correspondent gathered that some men had gone round earlier in the day warning people to return home and observe the sit-at-home order.
Wednesday was observed as sit-at-home as the leader of the banned Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was billed to appear in an Abuja court in continuation of his trial for alleged treason and terrorism.
A resident, Damian, told our correspondent that the whole community could not sleep as gunshots boomed throughout the night.
While three persons were said to have died on the spot, the other two were rushed to a hospital where they also later died.
A witness told our correspondent when he visited the crime scene that the hoodlums, who operated in a white Toyota Sienna vehicle, opened fire on an eatery.
Police spokesman in the state Mike Abattam said the Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Hussaini, had ordered an investigation into the killings.
Similarly, at least 15 people, including three housewives, were also killed at Binnari and Jab Jab villages in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Daily Trust gathered that the villagers attempted to fight back in Binnari but were overpowered by the bandits numbering over 50.
It was learnt that the bandits attacked the two villages in retaliation for the killing of some kidnappers by vigilantes in the area a few weeks ago.
Seven bandits were killed during the encounter while the bandits who survived the attack escaped with the corpses of their gang members.
During the retaliatory attack on Jab Jab, the gunmen were said to have killed many people and set houses ablaze.
Residents, who craved anonymity, lamented the absence of security operatives.
“As l speak with you, there are no policemen or soldiers in Binnari but we are told that soldiers are on their way to the area,” he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Taraba, DSP Usman Abdullahi, confirmed the attack but said policemen had been deployed in the area.
“The police are now on the ground and are making effort to restore normalcy and we have no casualty figure for now,” he said.