Gunmen believed to be bandits, wearing military uniforms, carried out a coordinated attack in Tashar Nagule village, Batsari local government area of Katsina State.Â
According to a reliable source, the armed men, posing as security agents, infiltrated the community on Sunday night, kidnapping approximately 31 villagers, including women, children, and men.
The assailants strategically surrounded the community and sent some of their members through the main entrance to abduct the villagers, leaving their motorcycles outside the area.
A witness shared their experience, stating that gunshots were initially heard around 9 pm, prompting people to attempt to flee.
However, the attackers claimed to be security agents sent to protect them, exploiting the trust of the residents.
Deceived by the false identity, the villagers gathered at the village square, unaware that the individuals, some donned in military camouflage, were actually bandits.
The witness recounted the situation, mentioning that the assailants then directed the residents to follow them into the forest, revealing their true intentions. Sensing the danger, the source managed to escape the group and return home.
As of Monday morning, a count revealed that 31 people had been taken captive. Some were seized when attempting to escape into the bush as additional terrorists lay in ambush outside the village.
Batsari local government area and its surroundings have been consistently targeted by bandit attacks, forcing many residents to flee to urban centers for safety.
Despite the severity of the incident, the Katsina State Police Command had not issued an official statement regarding the attack at the time of this report.
The persistent threats from bandits in the region highlight the urgent need for effective security measures to protect the vulnerable communities.
