Suspected terror bandits have killed over 30 people in a series of attacks on members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps and local residents.
The attack occurred on Tuesday.
Details of the tragic incident emerged on Wednesday, with eyewitnesses telling BBC that victims were from the Charanci, Safana, Kurfi, and Kaita local government areas in Katsina.
Local sources revealed that the death toll had exceeded 30.
The victims according to reports were ambushed by the criminal elements while returning from a condolence visit in Batsari.
The attack took place in Baure, a village known for being a stronghold of armed bandits.
In Safana Local Government Area, residents of Barebari, who doesn’t want to be quoted, reported that more than 15 villagers were killed on the spot.
“Baure is notorious as a bandits’ stronghold, and this happened on market day. The assailants followed the villagers back home, killing at least 15, based on the bodies we have seen. Some bodies were burned, and others are still missing. Initially, no one was allowed to recover the bodies, but they eventually relented,” a local resident shared.
“We managed to save over 20 people, including those from Charanci, Burji, Jibiya, and Kaita. At least 25 are confirmed dead, and many are still unaccounted for”, another resident added.
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One of the victims’ relatives, whose nephew was among the deceased, stated that vigilantes were also targeted.
“Unaware of the presence of the bandits, the vigilantes were ambushed as they entered the village. Upon spotting them, the bandits took cover in nearby homes and opened fire, killing more than 30 people. It was only today (Thursday) that we managed to retrieve my nephew’s body for burial because the bandits prevented us from doing so for two days,” the relative explained.
The victims were members of various local vigilante groups who had attended a condolence visit to Madaddafai village following the death of a fellow vigilante member.
While the leaders returned home afterward, the rest of the group proceeded to Baure, where the ambush occurred.
The spokesman of Katsina State Police Command, Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu confirmed the attack but said, “We are still gathering information and will release a detailed update soon.”
