Suspected bandits on Sunday stormed three villages in Faskari local of Katsina state during which eight persons were reportedly killed and three others injured.
The affected communities are Shau village in which four persons were killed including an Iman and his deputy; Ruwan Godiya village where two persons were murdered and Liggel village where two persons were also killed by the gunmen.
A resident of the area said, “These gunmen are coming with dangerous weapons, the types of guns that one has never seen before. At Liggel village there was some attempts by neighbouring communities to render some help but the village was surrounded by the gunmen such that no one will be able to get into the village from all angles.”
He alleged that recently it had become a daily occurrence in the area that bandits are terrorizing the area to the extent of announcing the next village to attack, saying “and will sure go and attack that village.”
Another resident said only within last week the gunmen have killed four persons at Yankara village, five persons at Yan Tuwaru village where they also injured others and burnt down their houses and motorcycles; and at Kamfani village some cattle were rustled.
The residents called on governments at all levels to come to their aide and also called on people to assist them in interceding with God to bring an end to the situation.
Katsina state police spokesman, SP Isah Gambo, confirmed the incident, saying “Yesterday, gunmen who were carrying dangerous weapons have stormed Ruwan Godiya village and eight persons were killed while three others injured.”
“By the time our men arrived the place, the terrorists have fled, so our men conveyed the injured ones to a hospital for treatment,” he said.
Gambo called for the deployment of more men, armoured vehicles as well as drones to the state to contain the situation effectively.
