How bandits unleashed mayhem in 4 Katsina LGAs

Last week, the activities of bandits once again reared its ugly head in Katsina State as several villages in four local governments – Danmusa, Safana, Dutsinma and Faskari, came under massive attacks, leading to the death of many and destruction of properties worth millions of naira. The casualties of the attack have since become a […]

Last week, the activities of bandits once again reared its ugly head in Katsina State as several villages in four local governments – Danmusa, Safana, Dutsinma and Faskari, came under massive attacks, leading to the death of many and destruction of properties worth millions of naira.

The casualties of the attack have since become a topic of debate with the locals putting the figure as about 73 while the police said only 47 were killed.

The locals in a widely shared messages across the state insisted that by Sunday morning no fewer than 73 persons were killed.

They gave their breakdown as Kurecin Giye 5, Kurecin Malam 6, Dogon Ruwa 1, U/Bera 7 all in Dutsinma LGA while in Danmusa LGA, they recorded Gurzar Kuka 17, Gurzar Gamji 13. In Safana LGA, Makanwaci and Daulai have 19 and 5 respectively.

Daily Trust Saturday reports that the massive and multiple attacks launched by bandits on the villages have resulted in massive relocation of residents to areas perceived to be more secured. Many people are still missing as a result of the attacks.

The attack, which started at about 3am last Saturday at Kuraichi village in Danmusa LGA, had spread to no fewer than 10 other villages across the three neighbouring local governments by 10am the following day.

The cause of the attacks is still debatable as some say it was a reprisal by the bandits on an alleged earlier attack by some villagers few days ago, while others say it was caused by a recent COVID-19 palliative shared to the locals which the bandits came to snatch away.   During the attacks, the bandits were said to be demanding for the food stuff and other items shared to the villagers.

A source told our reporter that “At Makanwaci village in Dutsinma, 17 were killed and about to be buried. Also, more corpses were recovered from Garkar Rake. Six were killed in Kuraichi village, 2 in Dogon Ruwa village, 5 in Daulai (Safana LGA), while 6 and 4 died in Kuraichi ‘A’ and ‘B’ respectively.”

According to Nasiru Gambo of Gurza village, “last night, bandits attacked Kuraichi village but were repelled by residents and vigilante. Some residents went after Fulani houses, burning them and their food stuffs around 3am.

“This morning, the bandits on motorcycles, numbering over 150, mobilised themselves and attacked. They have burnt down Balza, Gurzar Kuka and Gurzar Gamji villages and Makurachi our neighbours here from Safana LGA,” he said.

“I cannot confirm to you the number killed from my village but so far reports reaching me say between 4 and 10. People have fled for fear of being attacked,” he added.

Also, Ali Shehu from Makere village, said “We can’t say the cause of the attack. At Dogon Ruwa village, the head of vigilante was killed in the attack; it started from Danmusa and has moved down to Dutsinma.”

In Faskari, the attacks have been going on silently for a while, with the people absorbing the brunt and burying their dead quietly until last Saturday when the bandits struck in commando style.

The bandits attacked Sabon Layin Galadima in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing 3 persons and injuring two others.

Locals told our reporter that the bandits in large numbers on motorcycles arrived the village at about 5pm yesterday and carried out the operation which lasted for over an hour. They went away with many animals and burnt down some houses.

“Those killed include a medical health worker at Unguwar Doka village – Sanusi Bello, who came to the town at that moment and was shot. The other two are Safiyanu Abdullahi and Hassan Sani. Those presently injured and receiving treatment at Federal Medical Center Katsina are Ibrahim Hassan and Adamu Ibrahim.

“Also, this morning at about 11am, at Unguwar Doka, a man was shot while many have been abducted and later released while trying to get firewood from the forest,” one of the sources said.

This same village suffered an attack 8 days ago in which two persons were reportedly killed, among them one Buhari Umaru, a farmer who was shot on the spot and a child who died when gunmen opened fire on a commercial bus.

The locals had complained that people are being attacked and loosing their valuables, especially motorcycles, on daily basis by some miscreants operating from border forests.

The member representing the constituents and Deputy Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Engr Shehu Tafoki, said the ills of banditry and fear of bandits amongst his constituents is more than the present coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world.

In the last two weeks, he said only two out of the ten wards in the constituency were not attacked by these bandits.

He said many have been killed, abducted and large number of animals rustled, noting that “people are really suffering more than this virus that have not come to us and we pray it shouldn’t.”

He lamented the inability of security personnel positioned in the area to repel the attack by dislodging the bandits, wondering why the bandits were not sincere in upholding the agreement reached between government and the bandits.

He enjoined security personnel to be alive to their responsibilities in ensuring the safety of lives and property of the people, and urged the people of Faskari Local Government Area to persevere and have faith in the government in its bid to find lasting peace in the state.

However, the spokesman of the state police command, SP Gambo Isah, who confirmed the attacks but insisted that only 47 persons were killed, said a detachment of Police, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Air force, Civil Defence and DSS have been drafted to the area. “Currently, an operation is ongoing by the combined joint forces,” he said.

The attacks have led to massive relocation to places like Taka tsaba, Ruwan Gamji, Ba dole, Garhi and Turare Primary school all in Dutsinma town. Safana Primary school is also accommodating some displaced persons.