Suspected bandits have killed six men and kidnapped two women in a late-night attack on Jargaba community, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The attack happened on Thursday night when the gunmen stormed a popular spot in the village where men usually gather to relax and chat. Witnesses said the attackers opened fire without warning, killing six men on the spot. Among the dead was an aide to the local head of the Community Watch Corps (CWC). Two children were also injured by stray bullets.
After the shooting, the bandits went to a nearby house and kidnapped two women. Their whereabouts are still unknown.
Katsina State Police spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, confirmed the attack. He said two people died at the scene while four others, who were injured, later died in the hospital, bringing the total number of deaths to six. He, however, said the police were yet to confirm the kidnapping of the women.
The lawmaker representing Bakori in the Katsina State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulrahman Ahmed, condemned the attack. He described it as another painful reminder of the ongoing security challenges facing the people of his constituency.
“My heart goes out to the families of the victims. We pray for God’s protection and for peace to return to our community,” he said.
Ahmed said he has reached out to security agencies and urged them to take swift action to prevent further attacks. Katsina, like several other states in the North West, has been grappling with frequent bandit attacks in rural communities.