Matthew Onocheta
KATSINA, Nigeria – A member of the Hunters Association of Nigeria (HAN) was brutally murdered, his body and home set ablaze, and his family kidnapped along with three neighbours in Magamar-Jibia town, Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, North-West Nigeria.
The 31-year-old volunteer security agent, identified as Aliyu Yahaya, was killed when bandits stormed his home on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, according to local news outlet, Vanguard.
The deceased’s brother, Salisu Yahaya said the assailants overpowered Aliyu before killing him and setting his body on fire inside his room. They also abducted Aliyu’s wife, son, and three neighbours during the raid.
The Katsina State Police Command confirmed the incident.
“Yes the incident happened and investigation is ongoing with the view to arrest the perpetrators and rescue the kidnapped victims,” said ASP Abubakar Sadiq, spokesman for the Katsina State Police Command.
Residents of Magamar-Jibia town called on the government to take urgent steps to address the worsening menace. They also appealed to the authorities to prioritise the rescue of the kidnapped victims to alleviate the trauma suffered by their families and the community.
One of the community leaders, Alhaji Sani Salisu, however, blamed the attack on the absence of security personnel in the area. He called for increased security presence to prevent future occurrences.
– 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.