Katsina Bandits’ Attack: Death Toll Rises Above 100, As Masari Sends Delegation

The death toll from the clash between terrorists and the Yansakai Group in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State has risen above 100, residents say.

This figure comes shortly after Governor Aminu Masari of the State sent a delegation under the leadership of Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Muntari Lawal to condole with families of the victims. Residents of the affected communities put the number of those killed at over one hundred, stating that more corpses are being recovered from the area as some persons in the communities are still missing. One of the residents who hails from Guga village, Abubakar Hashimu, told Channels TV that even on Friday, 63 people were buried, and on Saturday, a canter vehicle was also brought loaded with over 30 corpses, we are still anticipating more bodies”.According to Hashimu, more than 100 have died so far.

According to sources, the incident happened on Thursday after several cows were rustled on Wednesday by the terrorists. Many persons have deserted their various communities due to the incidence, even as fears of further violence spreads. The state’s delegation led by Secretary to the Katsina State Government, Alhaji Muntari Lawal, visited Guga, Yargoje, Gidan Gamji communities on Sunday to condole with the people, describing the situation as highly tragic for not only the victims and their families, but also for the government. Lawal called on the residents to learn how to defend themselves as such situation can not be singlehandedly treated by the government or security agencies alone. “The actual number of those killed cannot be ascertained because they are still counting the death, nobody can tell you the accurate figure because some of the bodies are scattered in the bush, they have to go and retrieve them. “As we are counting the number, so also the bandits. So people should learn to be courageous enough to confront the devil before they finish them. “Don’t wait for Government, before Government intervenes the damage has been done, so organize yourselves to confront them,” Lawal asserted.

The Katsina State Government had on Friday announced plans to inaugurate a commission of inquiry to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the killings. This according to the Special Adviser to the governor on Security Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmad Katsina is to remain proactive in addressing this type of problem that led to some casualties which is he said still being investigated. Katsina explained that, not all the bodies recovered are members of the volunteer Yansakai group but also belong to the terrorists.

While sympathizing with families of the victims, Katsina urged members of the public to stop taking laws into their hands and ensure that they always cooperate with security agencies in their areas. He maintained that, the state government was on top of the situation, adding that, normalcy has since returned to the area and security forces have dominated the scene.

Source: Channels