Bandits in Katsina overpower security operatives, shoot 5 residents, kidnap 3
Five persons have been injured with gunshots wounds and three others abducted after bandits attacked Magamar Jibia border town in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
According to reports, the bandits in their numbers came armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles.
A member of the Jibia Security Committee told Channels Television on Thursday in a telephone call that the bandits overpowered the security personnel deployed to repel them.
He said the hoodlums invaded the area on Wednesday night at about 11:45pm, shooting sporadically to scare the residents, most of whom were preparing to go to bed for sleep.
He, therefore, called on Jibia vigilante group commanders to always mobilise themselves and patrol Kagadama, Magama, Kaga, Faru, Rijiyar Malamai, Mai Kwari, and Jibiyar Maje including Bayan Asibiti community.
He insisted that the general public must stand firm to confront the bandits.
“The bandits were in large numbers, they attacked the Magama Area and shot three persons and kidnapped three persons as well.
“People should stop sleeping especially those around the Jibia to put eyes on the movement of the criminal elements for security personnel to know where and when to start.
READ ALSO: Military commander fatally shot in Katsina ambush
Earlier on Wednesday morning, according to the eyewitness, another bandits’ gang attacked the Katsina-Jibia major road. However, several bandits were reportedly neutralised as a result of an encounter with military personnel.
“Eventually, an AK 47 rifle belonging to the hoodlums including their motorcycle was recovered.
“Two soldiers were seriously injured in the operation”, the eyewitness said.
The spokesman of the Katsina State Police Command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, confirmed the attack on Thursday.
He revealed that the police had earlier deployed a team of officers to the scene where they repelled the attack and rescued the three abducted persons unhurt.
READ ALSO: Bandits attack Taraba LG, kill 15 hunters providing security to residents
“Those rescued were immediately rushed to hospital for treatment and the command is working hard to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act,” ASP Sadiq noted.
Proofreading by Gift Luckson, Editor at Neptune Prime.
