Bandits Attack Katsina Community, Kill 18, Burn Houses

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

Gunmen suspected to be bandits on motorcycles have launched a fresh onslaught on Duba village in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing no fewer than 18 persons, including children and women.

THISDAY reliably gathered that many other residents sustained gunshot wounds in the incident that lasted from 9pm to 10:45pm Saturday, while many survivors have fled the village.

Investigation further revealed that the bandits numbering over 300, and armed with sophisticated weapons including anti-aircraft weapons and GMP machine guns, set many houses, shops and foodstuffs ablaze during the invasion.

A vigilante member, who craved anonymity, told THISDAY in a telephone interview on Sunday that the hoodlums killed 18 people on the spot and injured scores in the village.

He said: “Yesterday (Saturday) over 300 bandits armed with sophisticated weapons including anti-aircraft launchers and GMP machine guns attacked our village (Duba) and killed 18 persons.

”They (bandits) injured more than 10 people, including children and women who were sleeping when the bandits arrived the village. Those killed were buried on Sunday according to Islamic rites.”

The source noted that hundreds of residents, mostly women and children who survived the deadly invasion, had fled the village to Batsari, the headquarters of Batsari Local Government Area for fear of future occurrence.

However, the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, Gambo Isah, told journalists that the bandits killed only 12 people and injured six others in the community.

He explained that the joint team of the police and the military went to the village but the bandits retreated to the forest by the time the security personnel arrived the scene.

Isah, a Superintendent of Police, said: “The bandits, numbering over 300 and armed with sophisticated weapons including GMP machine guns and anti-aircraft launchers stormed the village(Duba) at 20.45 p.m on Saturday.

“They (bandits) ransacked houses and looted shops. They also killed 12 people and injured six others. Our officers are still combing the forest with a view to finding the hoodlums.”