Authorities report that at least 25 people were killed, and others were abducted by gunmen in Nigeria’s northwestern Katsina state. Dozens of gunmen on motorbikes attacked Yargoje in Kankara late Sunday, according to state commissioner for security affairs Nasiru Babangida Mu’azu, speaking to BBC Hausa.
These attacks by armed gangs, known locally as bandits, have become routine in northwest and central Nigeria. Despite claims by the government and security forces of efforts to curb the widespread insecurity, they appear powerless to stop them. Residents recounted that the gunmen rode into the community, shooting indiscriminately, looting shops, and abducting an unknown number of villagers.
“The people killed by bandits are more than 50, because some dead bodies are still being recovered from the bush”
“They killed children, women and men, and kidnapped a huge amount of people. They injured more than 30 residents who are currently receiving treatment at the general hospital.” an anonymous resident said.
According to another resident, Abdullahi Yunusa Kankara, he narrowly avoided the attack, which persisted into early Monday. He described the situation as dire, with nearly every house in the village affected by the assault. Kankara mentioned that more casualties were discovered on Monday morning. Surviving residents are now attempting to determine the number of abductees.
Also, in March this year, a significant number of passengers were abducted during a daylight attack in Katsina, the home state of former Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari.
