Katsina Killings: Masari sets up commission of inquiry

Kastina State Governor, Aminu Masari, has set up a Commission of Inquiry to ascertain circumstances that led to the death of no fewer than 40 persons in Kankara and Bakori local councils.

A press statement issued, yesterday, by the Director General, New Media, Al-amin Isah, said the governor had set up the Commission of Inquiry to determine the circumstances that led to the sad incident.

The statement said the commission shall commence sitting on Monday, February 13, and is expected to submit its report within three weeks of its inauguration.

It would be recalled that terrorists, had a week ago, stormed a farmer’s home at a community in Bakori, where they rustled unspecified number of cattle.

But, local vigilance group members, also known as Yansakkai, on realising what had happened, organised themselves and went after the terrorists.

However, informants were said to have alerted the terrorists about the vigilantes’ movement and they set ambush for them.

The bloody encounter that ensued left more than 40 of the guards dead, while scores were injured.

The incident was said to have spilled into neighbouring Kankara Local Council, leaving more dead bodies in the aftermath.

While police confirmed 41 dead, community leaders and residents lamented that they had recovered scores of bodies hours and days after the incident, with the number said to have risen to over 120.

Tagged: The Bakori/Kankara Local Councils’ Banditry Attacks and Killings’ Judicial Commission of Inquiry, the commission has terms of reference to include: “Inquire into, investigate, and determine the actual cause or causes of the recent banditry killings and attacks in Bakori and Kankara Communities..”

“Inquire into, investigate, and determine the actual lives and properties lost in the killings and to ascertain the persons directly affected by the incident.
“Identify groups and/or individuals directly connected or involved in the disturbance and to ascertain the roles played by such groups or individuals in instigating, aiding, and or abetting the incidence.
“Make specific recommendations as to the appropriate action to be taken on those found to be responsible for the disturbances and suggest necessary assistance/aid to be required by the victims of the attack and families of the deceased victims.
“Make suggestions on lawful approach to self-defense by citizens”, and “Make general or specific recommendations on long- and short-term measures to forestall similar future occurrences of such incidence in the State.”

The Commission of Inquiry has the Judge of Katsina State High Court, Justice A.B. Abdullahi, as chairman; Babangida Wagini as secretary, and Abdullah Faskari, as its counsel.

It also has representatives of the Human Rights Commission, police, state security, Katsina Emirate Council, among others, as members.