Bandits in their numbers have killed three persons and injured several others during an attack on Unguwar Basaka quarters in Jibia Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday night around 11 pm, also saw several persons abducted by the hoodlums during the attack.

But the police in the state have said only one person lost their life, while six victims who were abducted were rescued by a joint security operation.

Residents of the area who spoke with newsmen said they heard several gunshots and screams while the terrorists were operating.

They said the terrorists arrived in the community in their numbers, riding motorcycles and wielding automatic rifles.

One of the residents, who asked not to be named, said the terrorists killed three people and injured several others.

He added that the hoodlums abducted scores of people, including women and children, and that they operated for more than 30 minutes before security operatives arrived in the area.

The spokesperson for the police command in the state, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, while confirming the incident, said one person lost his life while six abducted victims were rescued.

READ ALSO: Kaduna in darkness as bandits vandalise TCN transmission lines

“On October 19th, 2024, at about 2325 hrs, a distress call was received at the Jibia Divisional Police Headquarters on a bandits’ attack on Unguwar Batsaka quarters in Jibia township, in their numbers, armed with dangerous weapons, shooting sporadically with the intent to kidnap some residents of the quarters.

“Swiftly, the DPO Jibia mobilised a team of operatives in collaboration with the military, members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC), and vigilantes to the scene, where they engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel that lasted about an hour, forcing the bandits to flee the scene with various degrees of bullet injuries.

“The team successfully rescued six kidnapped victims and rushed them to the hospital for medical attention due to injuries sustained as a result of the bandits’ attack. Regrettably, one of the victims, simply identified as Rabe Mai Shayi, succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.”

Aliyu said efforts are being intensified to ensure the arrest of the fleeing hoodlums, even as he called on residents with useful information on the issue to promptly report to the nearest police station.