At least six people have been killed and over 130 others kidnapped in a wave of attacks across communities in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State over the past three days.
Residents told Weekend Trust that the first major assault occurred on Sunday around 11pm in DanKurmi village, near Damari road, where attackers spent about four hours conducting house-to-house raids. At least 79 people were abducted, while four, including a toddler, were killed. Some households lost entire families, while others were targeted for women, children, and valuables including motorcycles and foodstuff. Victims of the killings include Maharazu Sani, Awusu Shafi’u, Saminu Ibrahim, and the toddler whose name was not released.
Other communities were similarly targeted. Gamji village saw two people killed and 31 kidnapped, while Tsaunin Jino recorded 27 abductions. Attacks were also reported in Unguwar Goje, Unguwar Sani, and Zagi-Zagi communities, with the total number of kidnapped residents estimated to reach around 200.
Attempts to reach local officials, including the Sabuwa LGA chairman and lawmakers representing the area, were unsuccessful. However, a government source confirmed the incidents and said local authorities were in the state capital meeting with the state government to seek urgent assistance.
The source explained that the bandits had previously offered a peace deal at the start of the rainy season, allowing farmers to cultivate their lands safely. The recent attacks, he said, are intended to pressure community leaders into accepting the deal.
He further noted that a previous attack on a military formation at Dankolo, which resulted in the death of three soldiers and the destruction of three MRFs, forced the army to relocate, inadvertently giving bandits freer access to villages. The source called on the Katsina State Government and military command to restore security personnel to previous positions to check the attacks.
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