Terrorists – locally dubbed as bandits in Nigeria have reportedly killed eight people, abducted scores and wounded several others between yesterday and today in Kankara Local Government of Katsina State, a local newspaper reported on Sunday, citing residents.
“Earlier this morning, they (bandits) drove off in one truck (pick-up) full of captives, and now they’ve driven off another full of people,” a source from the area told Vanguard newspaper.
“To escape the clutches of these ruthless criminals, many villagers have fled into the forest in search of safety. And some of them have been killed in the process.”
It was gathered that the armed bandits were leading their numerous captives to their hideouts, as many other residents continue to run for dear life.
“Yesterday, they killed one person at Gidan Damo, one at Gidan Umoru and two others in Ungwan Mai Kawo,” another source, who asked not to be named said, noting that the attack that targeted several communities in Kankara Local Government Area of the northwestern state, started yesterday.
“Also, in Burdugau G, Malumfashi LGA, they killed one person and burnt a car. Four people are currently hospitalized as a result.
“Today, the situation has worsened with residents of Yargoje and Dankunuji been particularly hard-hit. The criminals captured several people, killed one and wounded several others.
“The bandits who are currently forcing their numerous captives to embark on a journey back to their hideouts, are presently at Gidan Boka,” the source told Vanguard newspaper.
The unnamed source attributed the attacks to a notorious bandit kingpin, whom he identified as Ba’baru of Gidan Gamji.
He said: “The notorious bandit has strong presence in Powa, Jeka, and Masalawa, and is currently operating under the Maidaki ward.”
According to the source, Ba’baru is determined to wipe out the Hausa population in Kankara.
He also noted that Ba’baru was responsible for the killing of over a 100 people when former President Goodluck Jonathan came to campaign in Katsina in 2014.
The source further revealed that the bandits, who were expelled from the neighbouring Zamfara, are presently gathering at Mai Komo, a border community in Katsina.
“They are now joining forces with local gangs to infiltrate Katsina and continue their attacks,” he said.
The source expressed deep concern over the incident in Kankara LGA, particularly with the influx of bandits from neighbouring Zamfara State.
Kankara LGA has been a major hotspot for banditry in Katsina State, the news outlet reported.
The Katsina State Police Command could not be reached for comments.
Insecurity and violence in Nigeria
For more than a decade, civilians in Nigeria have faced multiple security threats and risk of atrocities as result of attacks, kidnappings and extortion by various non-state armed groups.
Since the start of 2024 civilians have faced intensified violence across Nigeria, and near-daily attacks by armed groups resulting in kidnappings and other abuses against civilians.
Armed groups and gangs, including so-called “bandits,” have – for many years – perpetrated widespread atrocities, including murder, rape, kidnapping, organized cattle-rustling and plunder. Armed herdsmen are also destroying vast swaths of farmland, prompting many farmers to abandon their land out of fear of attack.
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