Bandits kill 10, wound many others in fresh Katsina attack

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Bandits on Tuesday evening killed 10 people and injured 11 others in Yasore village, Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The bandits were also said to have looted several houses in the village during which they stole money, phones, clothes, foodstuff and other personal items.

Residents said the assailants also rustled several domestic animals after they had set ablaze scores of houses and food barns.

It was learnt that the bandits, who were armed with sophisticated weapons, swooped on the village on motorcycles at about 6.30pm. They were said to be on a reprisal attack.

Residents said that the bandits operated for several hours before they left the village because the telecommunication shutdown in the council prevented residents from seeking early assistance from security agencies.

Although residents said 16 people were killed in the operation, the Police put the figures of the dead at 10.
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It was further learnt that the dead were buried on Wednesday morning.

A visitor to the village on Wednesday described the situation there as “sympathetic,” as he claimed that youths were seen preparing graves for the burial of the victims, while many residents were said to be bemoaning the losses they had suffered in the attack.

Spokesman for the Katsina Police Command, SP Gambo Isah, confirmed the incident but insisted that the bandits were on a revenge mission at the village.

“The bandits were on a reprisal attack. Ten people were killed in the incident, while 11 others were injured.

“Recently, members of Yansakai (outlaw local vigilante) have been going round the community, killing the Fulani and the bandits went there on a revenge mission.

“It is unfortunate. Any member of Yansakai caught henceforth would be treated as bandits. Yansakai remains outlawed in the state,” Isah said.