Bandits attack Katsina metropolis, abduct residents

Some bandits on Thursday invaded Rahamawa and Shagari low-cost housing areas of Kastina State. During the attack, they abducted some residents, however, the number of kidnap victims is yet to be ascertained.

A source in Jibia local government area who confided in Daily Trust said the attackers were seen in the broad daylight trekking with their victims to where they packed their motorcycles.

“Only this morning, around 6:15 am our people sighted the bandits moving with their captives and we learned that they are from Rahamawa area of Katsina.

“Our people said they have seen about 13 to 15 attackers moving in a haste with the people they kidnapped,” the source said.

He however said there was an exchange of gunfire with security agents who dispersed the attackers and rescued the victims, saying however he was not sure whether all the captives were rescued or not.

A member of the vigilante group in the affected community who craved anonymity, confirmed the incident, saying, however, that security agents were in hot pursuit of the attackers to rescue the victims.

“It is true that terrorists have attacked this early morning. We had prior information of their movement and we laid ambush on their route with other security agents, but to our utter surprise, we couldn’t detect where they laid low.

“We left the area around 4 am only to discover that they attacked communities around Shagari Low-cost. As I speak with you, a team of soldiers, police and vigilantes are trailing them including a helicopter from the Nigerian Air force,” he said.

However, confirming the attack, the Police spokesman in Katsina, SP Gambo Isah, said the attackers invaded the residence of one Addullahi Esha, a businessman in Sokoto Rima quarters of Katsina metropolis

They broke into the house through his boundary wall and abducted a housewife.

“Yesterday 22/06/2022 at about 0230hrs, terrorists, armed with AK-47 rifles, attacked the house of one Abdullahi Esha of Sokoto Rima Quarters, Katsina and kidnapped his 18-year-old daughter.

“The command’s police Anti-kidnapping unit and patrol teams were immediately dispatched to the area and chased after the hoodlums. The teams had a fierce gun duel with the terrorists which made them flee and abandoned their heinous mission.

“Subsequently, the team succeeded in rescuing the victim, one Walida Abdulaziz Maigoro, ‘F’, 18yrs, unhurt”, Isah said.

Recall that less than two weeks ago, bandits have attacked Shola quarters of the metropolis where they abducted six persons including a couple who had to pay N11m ransom.