At least nine people have lost their lives after security operatives repelled an attack by suspected bandits in the Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when bandits attacked the Zakka community.

It was gathered that residents of the area called on security operatives for help when the bandits attacked.

A security source in the area, who asked not to be named, said several security operatives, consisting of police, military, and vigilantes, were dispatched to the area when the incident occurred.

He said the bandits were successfully repelled, and eight of them were killed while several of them sustained injuries in the process.

He, however, added that a Mobile Police personnel lost his life during the incident, adding that the victim’s demise was due to his lack of familiarity with the environment.

“Several of the bandits were located in an area in the community, and the Mopol who didn’t know they were hiding there, ran into them during the operation,” he said.

“He was a newcomer not familiar with the terrain. Sadly, they shot him in the left eye. We later picked him and wheeled him away from the area.

“Eight of the bandits were killed. Some people even said several of the bandits were injured during the attack.

“But we were lucky, there was only one casualty from the security side.

“Some of the security operatives are still stationed in the community even as I am speaking to you right now, and they are there in case of any eventuality.”

Safana is amongst the council areas facing security challenges brought about by the activities of bandits, kidnappers, and rustlers.

Hundreds of lives have been lost in the council and other security-prone councils since the security challenge began more than a decade ago.

The spokesperson for the police command in the state, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, did not immediately respond to an inquiry on the incident at the time of this report.