Gunmen kill lawyer, 12 others, destroy property in Katsina

Obinwannem News Gunmen kill lawyer, 12 others, destroy property in Katsina

Gunmen have killed 13 persons, including a lawyer, and injured several others in attacks on communities in Batsari Local Council of Katsina State.

But the police said 11 people were killed and 13 injured during the attack.  The attack, which occurred about 7.00pm on Tuesday, also saw dozens of houses and vehicles set ablaze in at least three communities.

Speculations have it that the casualty figure may be higher. It was learnt that the attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, rode to the communities on motorcycles. 

In each of the communities attacked, the gunmen were said to have shot sporadically into the air to register their presence before going from one house to another, looting valuables and harassing residents. 

A source said the bandits killed 13 persons. One of the victims, The Guardian learnt, was a lawyer, by name Nura Wagine. 

The source added some residents, who tried to escape from the onslaught of the gunmen, sustained injuries in the process.

Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association NBA in the state, Abdulgafar Ahmed, confirmed the victim’s demise to newsmen yesterday.

It was learnt that the remains of the 13 victims were recovered and buried yesterday morning according to Islamic rites. 

The injured, as at yesterday, were reportedly receiving treatment at clinics in the area. Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, SP Gambo Isah, who confirmed the incident, said 11 people were killed and 13 injured.

He said: “on Tuesday, bandits, in their numbers, shot sporadically with AK-47 rifles, attacked Katoge and Yanturaku quarters of Batsari Local Council, killed 11 persons and injured 13.  

“The Katsina State Commissioner of Police CP has deployed the Deputy Commissioner of Police DCP, in charge of Operations, with additional units of Police Mobile Force PMF personnel to the area to beef up security and restore confidence on the affected communities.”

IN Taraba, there was tension in Karim Lamido Local Council, as gunmen killed three housewives and others. The rampaging gunmen, whom The Guardian learnt launched separate attacks on Binnari and Jab Jab communities, yesterday, threw the communities into panic.

Some reports had it that the bandits were on reprisal attack for the killing of their gang members by the vigilante in the areas some weeks ago.

During the said retaliatory attack on Jab Jab, the gunmen reportedly killed many people and set houses ablaze. Residents, who spoke to The Guardian, lamented the total absence of security personnel in the area.

The attack, which occurred about 4.00a.m yesterday, was said to have made the residents scamper for safety for fear of fresh attacks.

Confirming the attacks, the local council chairman, Hamidu Makus, said security operatives had been deployed to the areas. The attacks came barely two weeks after gunmen had attacked the neighbouring Lau Local Council.

Nwachineke Onyeke Chekwube reporting, Obinwannem news writer/ November 11, 2021

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