Gunmen have killed 13 persons and injured many others when they raided Katsina, Plateau and Zamfara states. Nine persons reportedly lost their lives and dozen others injured following attack by gunmen on Wednesday night at Unguwar Sarki, Shema village, in Faskari Council of Katsina.
The bandits were said to have struck at about 11p.m. and operated into the early hours of yesterday. A source told The Guardian that the victims include eight parents and a young man, adding that they also injured scores and carted away livestock, household items, foodstuff and money.
But another source in the area said there were concerns that the fatality might be more, as the whereabouts of several residents was still unknown. Spokesperson for the state’s police command, SP Gambo Isah, was yet to respond to inquiry on the issue at press time.
ALSO, in Riyom Council of Plateau State, gunmen ambushed three persons, leading to the death of one Amos Elisha. It was learnt that Daniel Sati, Stephen Umar and Elijah were returning from the market about 7.34p.m. on Monday when they were ambushed by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen at Nad community.
A source close to the community disclosed that the gunmen opened fire on them, killing Elisha on the spot and injuring two others before they disappeared into a nearby hill. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Gabriel Ogaba, could not be reached till the time of filing this report.
In a related development, bandits raided Magarya, the hometown of Zamfara State House of Assembly Speaker, Nasiru Magarya, on Tuesday night, killing three persons and destroying properties.
According to witnesses, the bandits besieged the community in the night and launched a house-to-house attack, razing houses and food silos in the process. The Guardian learnt that the bandits also rustled cattle and sheep worth millions of naira.
Meanwhile, the state government, after its council meeting yesterday, announced its resolve to maintain both the military and dialogue approach as sure ways of arresting banditry in the state.
Four persons were also killed by bandits in Igabi and Chikun councils of Kaduna State. The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, stated yesterday that armed bandits stormed Nasarawa Kalgo community in Igabi Council and killed Harrisu Ibrahim.
He added that some other armed bandits attacked the Kujama area of Chikun and were repelled by local vigilantes.
“However, as they retreated to their hideouts, the bandits attacked Janwuriya village in Kajuru Council and killed two brothers, Nuhu Ishaya and Yakubu Ishaya.” The commissioner added that in a separate incident, bandits invaded Maraban Kajuru, and killed Samiru Na Ya’u.
