Twelve persons have been killed, with six injured following an attack by bandits on the Duba community in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
According to reports, the hoodlums, numbering over 300 and armed with General Purpose Machine Guns and RPGs, attacked the community on Saturday night.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Gambo Isah confirmed the incident to Channels Television on Sunday via a telephone call.
He said the bandits had upon their arrival at the community started shooting sporadically into the air, after which they looted many shops and rustled some domestic animals belonging to the residents.
He revealed that a joint military, police, and air force operation is ongoing on how to deal with the situation, adding that investigation is in top gear with a view to arresting the perpetrators.
A resident of the area, Malam Aminu Batsari who was attending the burial of those killed during the incident also confirmed the attack.
He also explained that those wounded have already been taken to the hospital for treatment.
Batsari is close to the dreaded Rugu Forest, one of the ten frontline LGAs in Katsina where armed bandits have been carrying out their nefarious activities.
Banditry is common in Katsina and other states in the North-West region despite efforts by security agencies and reassurances from the government.
