5 killed, 5 others kidnapped as bandits attack Katsina community
Barely 24 hours after the attack on the Maulud gathering where at least 25 persons were reportedly killed, suspected gunmen have again in the early hours of Tuesday, attacked the Sayaya community in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing no fewer than five persons.
Matazu and Musawa are neighbouring local governments where some of the victims of the Maulud gathering attack came from.
According to a report, a resident of Sayaya, who claimed his father was among those killed, told newsmen that the attackers conducted house-to-house raids in the community, killing five and abducting several others, adding that the terrorists also rustled domestic animals and carted away other valuables during the operation.
In a statement confirming the incident, the police spokesman in Katsina, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, said, “On November 6, 2023, at about 0055 hours, bandits in their numbers, wielding weapons such as AK-47 rifles and shooting sporadically, attacked Sayaya village, Matazu LGA, Katsina State.
“Upon receipt of the report, immediately, operatives were mobilised to the scene, where they engaged the bandits in a gun duel and succeeded in repelling the attack.
“However, five people were shot dead, two injured, and five people kidnapped by the assailants. The injured were rushed to the hospital for immediate medical attention.
“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, while condoling with the families of those affected by the attack, urged members of the public with information that will aid the investigation to come forward and assist the investigation as efforts are being intensified to ensure the safe rescue of the kidnapped victims and the arrest of the perpetrators of the dastardly act. Further development will be communicated in due course,” the statement added.
Bandits attacks are on the increase lately in Katsina State despite the introduction of the community watch corps by the state government as a measure to curb the menace.
