Bandits kill 16 persons, loot, raze houses in Katsina

Gunmen have killed 16 people and injured many at Yasore community in Batsari Local Council of Katsina State.

However, the police said 11 persons killed, and 10 others injured during the incident that lasted for hours on Tuesday evening.

The gunmen, who reportedly rode on motorcycles, also looted and burnt houses, carted away cash, phones, clothes, foodstuff and other items before razing the food barns.

It was learnt that the marauders rustled several domestic animals, particularly cows.

Locals said they counted 16 dead bodies and at least two dozens others injured, while more than 100 homes and barns were set ablaze by the gunmen.

A resident told The Guardian that he counted more than 10 dead bodies and saw youths digging graves for their interment.

He added that he saw some hapless community members salvaging what was left of their belongings from the rubbles, while some women were wailing for the loss of beloved ones and property.

Batsari, like other local councils close to a dense forest reserve, is prone to attack by bandits. It had witnessed reduction in such attacks in recent weeks due to onslaught by security operatives on the bandits’ enclaves.

The operation had seen telecommunication networks severed, to allow for a far-reaching operation in the state and other states so affected.

Spokesperson for the police command in the state, SP Gambo Isah, while confirming the incident, said 11 people lost their lives during the attack.

Isah added that 10 others were injured and that the attack was a reprisal by herdsmen, whose members were recently killed by volunteer vigilantes, locally known as Yan Sakai.

“Yes, the incident happened and 11 people lost their lives while 10 others sustained injuries. The attack was a reprisal by herdsmen whose members were killed by Yan Sakai recently.

“Yan Sakai remains banned, and anyone caught parading himself as one would be treated like a bandit,” he stated.