Banditry activities are on the rise in Katsina state as a terrorist group of armed bandits has launched two deadly attacks in different parts of Katsina state within days.
On a recent, Wednesday morning, terrorists ambushed a joint operational squad of security while attempting to rescue kidnapped victims in the Magma community of the Jibiya local government area of Katsina state.
Some police and military personnel sustained injuries in the fatal ambush, while DSP A. Rano, Jibia’s divisional police officer, and yet-to-be-identified civilian were killed in gunfire at the scene.
However, a source told Daily Episode that the bandits believed to be loyal to Turji and Dangote, whose base is in a village called Shimfida in the Jibia local government, may be responsible for the attacks.
Before the deadly attacks and abduction, the terrorist had earlier notified the kidnapped people by writing a letter, requesting they prepare for their kidnapping.
He added that the victim had reported the abduction to security personnel during the abduction process. Col. Masoyi and the police confronted the terrorists, and they were ambushed before arriving at the scene of the rescue mission.
The Katsina state police public relations officer did not return a call or reply to a text message sent to him by Daily Episode correspondent.
The Guga Massacre and Kidnapping
At least eight people were reportedly killed while an unspecified number of people were kidnapped by terrorist groups of armed bandits on Monday at around 10:30 pm in the Guga community in Bakori local government area of Katsina state, per the police authorities.
The village head, Dan Alhaji Umar, and his son were among those kidnapped.
However, according to a resident, Musa Dan Liti, who spoke to Daily Episode over the phone, the number of people killed may be higher than previously announced by authorities.
Dan Liti also lamented that they are helpless and not safe from further attack, so they sleep in the bushes, despite fear of snakes and other dangerous animals.
The terrorists looted our shops before burning some. Therefore, our business has been harmed because many people cannot afford to buy food, let alone pay millions of Naira demanded as ransom by the bandits.
He further pleaded with the government and security agencies to rescue the abducted victims and ensure adequate security is restored for better livelihood.