Gunmen, yesterday, killed 10 people, including the village head of Kukar Babangida community, Haruna Abale, in Jibia Local Council of Katsina State.
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Among those killed was Idris, the son of the village head, and two watchmen working for Tinna Tech, a construction company, in the area.
The attack, which commenced at about 12:00 a.m., on Thursday, lasted till 1:30 a.m.

The men reportedly arrived with sophisticated weapons and moved from house to house, unleashing violence.

The Guardian learnt that the attackers abducted an unspecified number of women and children, injured several residents, and carted away household valuables, including food items and money.

A source in the area said two trucks belonging to Tinna Tech were also set ablaze by the gunmen.
It was also learnt that the affected community is located along the Katsina-Jibia road, where there are more than a dozen security checkpoints, including those of the military, Nigeria Customs Service, Police and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Jibia council is no stranger to security challenges, including killings, kidnappings and animal rustling.
It is one of other councils facing such challenges in the state, due to its proximity with a dreaded expanse of forest, used as a hideout by terrorists.

Hundreds of people have been killed, maimed, raped, or had their communities ravaged by terrorists, since the crisis began more than a decade ago.

The Guardian also gathered that eight traders were killed on Christmas Eve, close to Kukar Babangida village, as they travelled in a vehicle to a market in a neighbouring community.

Chairman of the council, Bishir Sabiu, who confirmed yesterday’s incident, said prior to the attack, there were intelligence reports that an assault by terrorists was imminent in the area.

Sabiu said security operatives and the state government-owned Security Watch Corps readied themselves at strategic places.
He, however, added that the terrorists may have been informed about the security arrangement and chose to attack another location.
Sabiu said the deceased persons were buried yesterday morning, according to Islamic rites, and that security has been beefed up in the area.

Spokesperson for the state police command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, who also confirmed the incident, said only nine persons were killed.

“Today, Thursday, January 11, 2023, at about 1:30a.m., suspected armed bandits in their numbers, armed with dangerous weapons, such as AK-47, shooting sporadically, attacked Kukar Babangida village where they shot and killed nine persons and burnt down five vehicles.
“Operatives were swiftly deployed and normalcy was restored. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act,” he said.
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