Bandits have attacked a community in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing several residents, destroying houses, shops and vehicles, and leaving many people displaced.
The attack occurred in Doma community, Tafoki area of the LGA, at about 4:30 pm on Tuesday. The assailants, armed with weapons including AK-47 rifles, reportedly struck five months after a peace agreement was reached in the area.
Chairman of Faskari Local Government Area, Sirajo Daudawa, described the incident as a suspected reprisal attack. He said the community had enjoyed relative peace for the past five months before the latest violence.
According to Daudawa, at least 20 people were killed during the attack, while several houses and vehicles were set ablaze. He added that although security agencies were alerted, they arrived only after the attackers had fled.
“The bodies of those killed were recovered in the Tafoki area and will be buried on Wednesday morning,” he said, while expressing sympathy with the Doma community, Tafoki ward and the people of Katsina State. He prayed for the repose of the victims’ souls and an end to the violence.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, has condemned the attack and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
In a statement issued on Tuesday night by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Sadiq, the commissioner directed the deployment of additional resources to investigate the incident and arrest those responsible.
The statement said the Divisional Police Officer mobilised operatives in collaboration with the military and members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps to the scene. However, the attackers had already escaped after fatally shooting 13 people.
The police said calm has since been restored to the affected area, adding that further developments would be communicated in due course.