Bandits: Residents of Katsina communities relocate to LG headquarters

Many residents of communities of two local government areas in Katsina State, Batsari and Jibiya, have relocated to the headquarters of the councils due to renewed attacks by bandits on their villages.

The affected communities have also reportedly on self-imposed curfew from 7pm till morning to avoid being kidnapped or attacked by the bandits.

A district head in one of the councils, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said about 30 people were abducted at Garin Dodo in the Kasai area while 10 women were abducted at Biya-Ka-Kwana village by the bandits during the weekend attacks.

He also disclosed that one person was shot by the bandits in one of the attacks while a new couple abducted at Bakon Zabo.

Chairman of Jibiya Peoples Forum, Dahiru, said three women were kidnapped along with their babies on Sunday in a village called Pulka Mabile along Zamfara road.

He also disclosed that the bandits injured two people who were later taken to the hospital on Monday.

Dahiru said, “The bandits now operate virtually on a daily basis in our communities. Many residents have either moved to Jibiya, the headquarters of the council while some who still stay in the communities now retire home by 7pm to avoid being kidnapped or attacked by the bandits. Many things are happening now. We beg God for intervention.”

Although residents put the number of those abducted by the bandits at 48, spokesman for the Katsina Police Command, Gambo Isah, said the number was still being collated.

“The number of those abducted was not as high as the figure being bandied and we are still collating the true figures as the attacks were carried out simultaneously in four villages. We shall let you have the figures when we get the true figures.”

Bandits have recently increased their activities in the Batsari Local Government Area, according to findings.

Further findings also showed that the development had made many residents in the communities in the council to relocate to the headquarters of the council, Batsari, for their safety.

About 344 students of a Katsina college were recently kidnapped from their dormitory by bandits and were only rescued a week later.