At least 24 persons, including 20 farmers, three other residents, and a member of the Community Watch Corps have been killed by armed bandits in separate attacks on communities in Kankara local government area of Katsina State.
Residents said the attacks occurred across several villages within the past week, deepening fears among locals in one of the state’s most troubled areas.
A local source, who confirmed this on condition of anonymity, said, “About six days ago, bandits attacked farmers working in Yargoje, Kwakware, Danmarke, Gidan Dawa, and parts of Burdugau. They killed about 20 farmers, abducted some others, and rustled the animals used for farming.”
On Monday, another attack was reported in Marmara Village, where bandits clashed with members of the Community Watch Corps and the Civilian JTF.
One C’Watch operative was killed and two Civilian JTF members injured before the attackers infiltrated the village, killing three more residents.
It was also gathered that the same night, bandits struck communities east of Kwakware, where they kidnapped an unspecified number of residents and rustled livestock.
A resident of Kankara, who asked not to be named, linked the escalating attacks to selective peace agreements recently reached in some neighbouring local governments.
“As long as peace deals exist in some areas and not others, the bandits will always find vulnerable spots to attack,” he said
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Police Command has announced the rescue of four kidnap victims, including three women and a baby girl, following a foiled kidnap attempt at Mazare Village in Sabuwa local government area.
According to a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the Sabuwa Police Division on June 18 at about 9 p.m., received a report of an attack on the village by armed bandits, during which two male residents, Sa’idu Isa, 37, and Sa’idu Wa’alam, 61, were shot and injured.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer swiftly mobilised and led a team of operatives to the scene.
“A gun battle ensued, forcing the bandits to abandon the four victims and flee. The rescued victims were unharmed, while the injured residents were taken to the hospital and are responding to treatment,” Aliyu said.
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