14 Killed as Bandits Strike Two Katsina Communities

At least 14 people have been confirmed dead and several others injured following two separate bandit attacks in Dandume and Musawa local government areas of Katsina State.

In the first incident, armed hoodlums invaded Dansoda community in Dandume LGA around 8 pm on Tuesday, killing 11 residents. A local source who spoke on condition of anonymity disclosed that community members had just broken their Ramadan fast and were relaxing outside when the assailants launched the attack.

“People ran helter-skelter as the bandits shot sporadically and also targeted some of the fleeing community members. After they left, we cautiously came out and discovered that 11 people had been killed during the mayhem,” the resident said.

The victims were buried according to Islamic rites at about 9 am on Wednesday, while the injured were rushed to hospitals for medical attention.

In a related attack, armed bandits struck Jikamshi village in Musawa LGA at approximately 6:10 pm the same day, resulting in the death of three persons and injury to 11 others.

Confirming the incident, Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, stated that a distress call was received at Musawa Division reporting that suspected bandits had attacked the village, injuring 14 persons before security agencies arrived.

“A joint security team responded and engaged the bandits in a gun duel, successfully foiling the attack. The injured victims were rushed to the nearest hospital. Unfortunately, three were confirmed dead, while 11 are receiving treatment,” Sadiq said.

He added that the Commissioner of Police has condemned the attack and directed further investigations to apprehend the perpetrators.

Sources revealed that the bandits operated for over an hour, looting shops and carting away food items and other valuables worth millions of naira. Residents reportedly alerted security operatives and government officials before the attacks occurred.

The incidents come shortly after a peace agreement was reached between security-prone communities and repentant bandits, which included the release of about 70 suspected and convicted bandits a move that drew criticism from many Nigerians.