Gunmen kill 13, raze houses in Katsina

Gunmen ave killed 13 persons and injured several others in attacks on communities in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina state.

Police said 13 people were also injured in the attack.

The attack, which occurred on Tuesday evening, also saw dozens of houses and vehicles set ablaze.

At least three communities were said to have been attacked by the gunmen, while there are speculations the death toll and number of those injured may be higher.

It was learnt that the gunmen stormed the affected communities in their scores, riding on motorcycles and armed with sophisticated weapons.

In each of the communities attacked, the gunmen were said to have shot sporadically into the air to register their presence before going from house to house, looting valuables and harassing residents.

A source familiar with the incident said the bandits shot and killed 13 persons, while dozens of others were injured during the attack.

One of the victims killed by the gunmen, it was learnt, was a lawyer, one Barr. Nura Hassan Wagine.

The chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in the state, Barr Abdulgafar Ahmed confirmed Wagine’s death.

The source added some residents who tried to escape from the onslaught of the marauding gunmen saw them sustain injuries in the process.

It was learnt that the remains of the 13 victims were recovered and buried Wednesday morning according to Islamic rites.

The injured, it was gathered, are receiving treatment at the hospital and health centers in the area.

Spokesperson for the police command, SP Gambo Isah who confirmed the incident, said 11 people were killed while 13 others sustained injuries.

“Yesterday 09/11/2021 at about 1915hrs, bandits in their numbers, shooting sporadically with AK 47 rifles, attacked Katoge and Yanturaku quarters of Batsari LGA, killed 11 and injured 13 persons.

“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina state Command, has deployed Deputy Commissioner of Police, in charge of operations, with additional units of PMF personnel to the area to beef up security and restore confidence on the affected communities.”