Parts of Katsina State are currently gripped by escalating concern due to the resurgence of criminal activities carried out by armed bandits.
The areas in question have experienced a distressing increase in incidents involving kidnapping for ransom, forced labour, cattle rustling, and the tragic loss of innocent lives within their communities.
According to a report by Daily Trust, the latest incident occurred on Sunday, resulting in the tragic death of Rabilu Tukur from Dan Ali village, located within the Danmusa Local Government Area (LGA).
An anonymous resident of Dan Ali recounted the grim circumstances, sharing that Tukur, an employee of Danmusa LG, met his unfortunate end around 1 pm.
“He used his motorcycle for commercial purpose and had conveyed a passenger to Tashar Biri village, and was on his way back when the killers followed him and close to Dan Ali village, they attacked him using a cutlass to hack him to death in broad daylight.
He added that bandits had also traced locals who migrated to Dan Ali village with their animals for their safety and rustled several animals.
He said there is an upsurge in banditry in recent days, with the bandits in most cases operating unchallenged.
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In a related development, on Friday, the bandits struck Maidabino village in the same Danmusa LGA. Under the cover of darkness, they carried out a house-to-house raid, taking one life and abducting a woman while also rustling animals.
The attackers executed their assault around 2 am, showing no mercy as they went from house to house.
Tragically, one man was killed while attempting to hide in his toilet. His wife was abducted, and their young children were left behind.
“What is more frightening is that there are soldiers stationed at Government Day Secondary School in the village and they were alerted during the attack but they did not show up until the terrorists left,” a resident of the village said.
He added that on the same Friday, bandits attacked Sabon Garin Unguwar Ganau, killed three people and kidnapped several women.
It was a similar situation in Dandume, Sabuwa, Faskari and Funtua local government areas, where the residents took to social media to express their concerns over the incessant activities of banditry in the area, stating that the security situation is terrible.
As posted, “Atrocities committed by bandits and kidnappers in our communities and neighbouring towns have been worse. They have been terrorising us for years, killing and kidnapping people at will every day and night. They have been looting our properties, occupying and destroying our farms.
“We are now living In constant fear and anxiety, unable to go about our normal activities or sleep peacefully at night. Many people have fled their homes and villages, seeking refuge elsewhere.
“We have reported these Incidents to the local authorities several times, but we have not seen any improvement in our situation. Instead, it seems to be getting worse by the day. ”
The people are calling on the government to urgently intervene by deploying security operatives to curtail the situation and return normalcy to the areas as soon as possible.