Gunmen on Wednesday killed over 20 people in separate attacks in communities in Katsina, Kaduna and Benue states.
The attacks in Katsina were carried out by bandits in four local government areas of Safana, Dutsinma, Batsari and Faskari which resulted in the killing of 16 persons and the kidnapping of four others.
The bandits were said to have arrived the council areas on motorcycles at different times shooting sporadically as they moved.
Our reporter gathered that in Safana LGA, the villages attacked were Dan Jukka, with six killed and Salihawar Kalgo where five persons were also killed.
One person was killed at Dullu village in Batsari LGA and two brothers were killed at Maitsani village of Dutsinma LGA.
In Faskari LGA, one person was killed at Unguwar Buntu, two at Gidan Baki village while at Dogon Awo, one person was shot and had been hospitalised.
The spokesman of the state’s Police Command, SP Gambo Isah, however, confirmed that five persons were killed at Dan Jukku and two each at Maitsani and Gidan Baki.
In Kaduna, gunmen again killed seven villagers at Makyelli village in Kufana District of Kajuru Local Government Area.
The attack was carried out a few hours after an attack at another community which claimed five lives on Tuesday evening.
The two attacks were seen as reprisal between suspected herdsmen and the local community.
A source in the area who didn’t want his name mentioned said Makyelli village was a stone throw from Gonan Rogo in Kufana District.
“It is unfortunate what is happening around this area because both attacks were reprisal from both sides following the killings in Gonan Rogo village on Monday night.
“Some angry locals went into the bush and killed five people on Tuesday and early this morning (Wednesday), suspected herdsmen invaded Makyelli village killing seven people,” he claimed.
Daily Trust gathered that the military arrived in the area in good time, which helped to contain the situation.
The Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, asked for time to investigate before making comments.
In Benue, the police command confirmed an attack on Tse-Haaga village, Mbabai in Guma Local Government Area by unknown gunmen which claimed four lives.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Catherine Anene, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that four persons were killed, while three others sustained injuries during the attack.
Anene said the command had since deployed more personnel to restore peace and normalcy in the community.
A resident of the area, Mr Clement Haaga, said the gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen, stormed the village on four motorbikes and opened fire on the residents.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker, Katsina State House of Assembly, Engr Shehu Tafoki, on Monday at a special sitting on security in the assembly lamented that hardly a day passed without reported attack across the state resulting in death, kidnapping and maiming of innocent citizens.
Shedding tears over the situation, he said Faskari Local Government in particular, which he represents in the House, could be likened to the violence-prone areas in the northeastern part of the country in terms of violent attacks.
Other members of the assembly also expressed concern over the situation during the deliberation.
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