Four people have lost their lives, and eight others have been abducted in a ruthless attack by bandits armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, in the Nahuta and Dantsuntu Communities of the Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The incident unfolded on Saturday evening as farmers were working on their farmlands. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants, armed with deadly weapons, surrounded the area and unleashed a barrage of gunfire, continuing their operation until the early hours of Sunday.
The Katsina Police Command’s spokesperson officially confirmed the incident on Monday, providing assurance that the police are actively engaged in addressing the situation.
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As part of their efforts, five individuals have already been successfully rescued unharmed out of the eight who were initially kidnapped.
Batsari, a local government area on the frontlines of Katsina State, has been dealing with an upsurge in banditry, making life unbearable for the residents. The escalating violence has hindered locals from accessing their farmlands, which serve as their primary source of livelihood.
In response to the insecurity, some settlements have formed self-defence vigilante groups to protect their villages, while rival gangs perpetuate tit-for-tat reprisals, often resorting to mass abductions for ransom or leverage.