No fewer than ten Muslim worshippers have been reportedly killed by armed bandits in Katsina State.
The terrorist group according to reports, attacked Yasore, a village in the Batsari Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday evening, attacked the worshippers who were observing Magrib prayers.
Bibian Anekwe News learnt that the assailants invaded the community on motorcycles at about 6:30 pm displaying sophisticated weapons. Upon sighting the worshippers, they reportedly opened fire on them.
It was revealed that the bandits rid the residents of their money, phones, clothes, foodstuff, and other personal items. They also rustled several domestic animals after they burned down houses and food stores.
In their testimony, residents lamented that the telecommunication shutdown in the council prevented them from reaching out for help from security agencies as the bandits operated for several hours before leaving.
Daily Trust reports that a resident had told them that the attackers came despite the ongoing military and police offensive.
“We have seen the impact of the recent military onslaught against these criminals because their attacks are not as frequent as it used to be but it is still very difficult for farmers to harvest their farm produce,” Daily Trust quoted the source as saying.
Bibian Anekwe News understands that at least 11 people survived the attack with severe injuries. The source also revealed that many residents had escaped been lynched in the attack by fleeing to the headquarters of Batsari Local Government for safety.
Though residents had claimed that 16 people were killed in the attack, the spokesman for the Katsina Police Command, SP Gambo Isah, refuted the claims by saying only 10 were counted dead.
Isah said that the bandits were on a revenge mission at the village. “The bandits were on a reprisal attack. Ten people were killed in the incident, while 11 others were injured. Recently, members of Yansakai (outlaw local vigilante) have been going round the community, killing the Fulani and the bandits went there on a revenge mission. It is unfortunate. Any member of Yansakai caught henceforth would be treated as bandits. Yansakai remains outlawed in the state,” the police mouthpiece added.
Bibian Anekwe News learnt that the victims of the attack have been laid to rest on Wednesday morning while those who sustained injuries are being treated in the hospital.
The recent attack is coming two weeks after men of the Nigeria Police Force arrested three women in Katsina State for allegedly assisting bandits with petrol, Bibian Anekwe News reports.
Source: Bibian Anekwe News
