No fewer than twenty-six people were confirmed killed in a deadly encounter between security operatives and bandits in Kankara local government area of Katsina State.
The incident happened on Sunday afternoon, 9 June 2024, according to the spokesman for the Katsina police command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu.
He gave the lowdown of the incident in a statement on Monday evening thus” On 9 June, 2024 at about 3 p.m, armed bandits in their numbers, armed with dangerous weapons, attacked Gidan Tofa village, and Dan Nakwabo village, all in Kankara Local Government Area, Katsina State, shot and killed 20 people, injured 2 people, and ambushed our Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) patrol team responding to the distress call, killing four (4) police officers and two (2) members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC).
“The fact of the case is that on the same date, at about 3 p.m, a distress call was received at the Kankara Divisional Headquarters that armed bandits in their numbers riding on motorcycles armed with dangerous weapons, shooting sporadically, attacked Gidan Baki village, Kankara LGA, killing unsuspecting villagers.
‘Immediately, the nearest armoured personnel carrier (APC) patrol team was dispatched to the scene. While en route to Gidan Baki village, the team discovered that the attack was actually on Gidan Boka village via Yar Goje village, Kankara LGA, where they quickly redirected towards the scene. Upon reaching Kurmeji village via Yar goje, the team fell into an ambush, where a firefight ensued between the team and the bandits.
“Upon receipt of the information on the attack of the responding team, swiftly the DPO mobilised and led a team of operatives to the scene and restored normalcy.
“During preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the armed bandits attacked Gidan Boka village, killing fifteen (15) people and injured two (2) others. They also ambushed our patrol team and killed four (4) police officers (three (3) inspectors and one (1) corporal) and two (2) members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC). Also, the bandits, while escaping through Dan Nakwabo village, Kankara LGA, shot and killed five (5) persons.
” Further development will be communicated as the investigation proceeds.
“While working with all relevant stakeholders in the state to prevent further occurrences and the arrest of the perpetrators of the dastardly act, the command has deployed additional operational assets to the area.”
The state Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Musa, in the statement, expressed dismay over the tragic incident and extended his condolences to the families and friends of those affected by the incident.