Several persons have been killed while houses, shops and vehicles were destroyed after bandits attacked Doma community in Tafoki area of Faskari Local Government Area, Katsina State.
The attack occurred at about 4:30pm on Tuesday, when armed bandits, reportedly wielding AK-47 rifles, stormed the community, five months after a peace agreement was reached in the area.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Faskari Local Government Area, Sirajo Daudawa, described the attack as a suspected reprisal assault.
“The situation is indeed very unfortunate. We have not recorded any bad moments over the past five months, except for this incident,” Daudawa said.
He disclosed that at least 20 people were killed, with several houses and vehicles set ablaze, leaving many residents displaced.
“Security agencies were duly informed, but unfortunately none was able to reach the scene until after the bandits had carried out their attack,” he added.
Daudawa said the bodies of the victims were recovered in the Tafoki area and would be buried on Wednesday morning, while extending condolences to the affected families and residents.
Police Confirm Attack, Cite Lower Casualty Figure
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Police Command confirmed the attack but reported a lower casualty figure.
In a statement issued Tuesday night by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Sadiq, the Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, condemned the attack and commiserated with the families of the victims.
According to the police, 13 persons were fatally shot before the attackers fled the area.
“The Divisional Police Officer mobilised operatives in collaboration with the military and members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps to the scene, but the assailants had escaped before their arrival,” the statement said.
The police said additional security resources have been deployed to the area to aid investigation and track down the perpetrators, adding that normalcy has since been restored to the community.
Further developments, the command said, will be communicated in due course.
