Bandits kill four, loot community in Katsina

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed three people and injured several others at Barawa community, in Batagarawa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The incident which occurred Sunday night at about 9 pm, and lasted up to 10.30 pm, also saw the gunmen injure many, loot household items and rustle dozens of domestic animals.

According to sources, the gunmen numbering about 100, stormed the community riding on motorcycles wielding sophisticated weapons.

They were said to have moved from house to house, seizing anything of interest including monies, handsets, motorcycles and domestic animals.

Narrating what happened, one of the residents said the bandits operated without for more than an hour, and that residents were trying to gather data on those affected and items or animals that were rustled.

According to him, “Our people were met with violence and confusion yesterday night in Barawa community, 10 kilometers from Katsina state capital where bandits numbering about 100, stormed the area and wrecked havoc from 9pm to 10:30 pm.

“They killed and looted without let and there was no help from security operatives. We counted four dead bodies, three males and one female. We’ll know later the number of those remaining.

“The bandits went from house to house rustling cows and other domestic animals, and went away with several of them.
They also seized substantial amounts of monies and carted away food items.

“A resident, Mal. Bello Musa was forced to part with the sun of N410,000, as well as his motorcycle and domestic animals.

“I personally closed the eyes of one of the victims with my own hands, and escorted other residents to his house with his body, so that his remains can be prepared for burial.”

He described the incident as saddening, lamenting that the shutdown of mobile networks in the area didn’t help matters as they were unable to call for help.

The state like others in the northwest, has been grappling with security challenges brought about by activities of bandits, rustlers and kidnappers.

More than 200 people that includes women and children have been killed in the last four months across the state, by bandits and related criminals.

Last week, two police offices were killed after a confrontation between security operatives and bandits at Baure forest in Safana council area.

While presenting the 2022 financial estimate before the state House of Assembly last week, Governor Aminu Masari had lamented that banditry had greatly affected the implementation of the 2021 budget.

Masari said a substantial sum of monies that accrued to the state which was supposed to be used for funding developmental projects, were committed to security operations.

It was, however, learnt that security operations were ongoing in parts of the state and elsewhere, to rid them of bandits and related criminals.

Spokesperson for the police command in the state, SP Gambo Isah was yet to respond to inquiry about the matter as at the time of this report.