Bandits have attacked a community in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, leaving several persons dead, houses, shops, and vehicles destroyed, and many residents displaced.
The incident occurred in Doma Community, Tafoki area of the LGA, at about 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The assailants, armed with weapons including AK-47 rifles, invaded the community five months after a peace agreement was reportedly reached.
According to the Chairman of Faskari Local Government Area, Sirajo Daudawa, the attack was suspected to be a reprisal.
“The situation is indeed very unfortunate. We have not recorded any major incident in the past five months until now,” he said.
“We lost at least 20 people. Several houses and vehicles were burnt down by the hoodlums. Security agencies were duly informed, but unfortunately, none was able to reach the scene until after the bandits had carried out their attack.
“The bodies of the deceased were recovered in the Tafoki area and will be buried on Wednesday morning,” Daudawa added.
He expressed sympathy with the affected community, saying, “We sympathise with the Doma community and Tafoki Ward, Faskari LGA, and the people of Katsina State in general over this tragedy. May Almighty Allah have mercy on the souls of those killed and bring an end to this menace.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Katsina State, Bello Shehu, has commiserated with the families and friends of the victims and condemned the attack.
Shehu also ordered the deployment of additional resources to expedite investigations and ensure the arrest of the perpetrators.
In a statement issued on Tuesday night by the Katsina State Police Command spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq, the Commissioner said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) mobilised operatives, in collaboration with the military and members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC), to the scene.
However, he noted that the attackers had already shot and killed 13 persons and fled before the arrival of security operatives.
The police added that normalcy has since been restored to the affected area.
“Further developments will be communicated in due course,” the statement said.
