KATSINA: Bandits kill 19, abduct several others in Gobirawa community

The attack, which occurred around 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, was carried out by gunmen suspected to have come from the Danmusa forest.

The assailants stormed the village, firing indiscriminately and killing many residents on the spot.

Eyewitness Sani Abdullahi Kuki, who confirmed the incident, reported that the attackers also abducted several individuals — mostly women, children, and the elderly.

In addition to the killings, the bandits burned down shops and set over 20 houses ablaze.

According to Kuki, five of the deceased were burnt alive, and several victims were taken to Dutsinma General Hospital for treatment.

Some were later referred to the Katsina General Hospital due to the severity of their injuries.

“This is completely out of control,” Kuki lamented. “Some victims who tried to hide inside grain silos were set on fire. Many were burned beyond recognition and only recovered the following morning for burial.”

He added that the community has suffered previous attacks, recalling a similar incident last year that left seven people dead. This latest assault has forced mass evacuations, with residents fleeing in at least 20 vehicles to seek safety.

Kuki noted that all the community’s shops were destroyed, and the number of abducted persons remains unknown. However, the arrival of an armored personnel carrier eventually forced the attackers to retreat.

Despite repeated efforts, the Katsina State Police Command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq, was unreachable for comments.

Residents are now calling on the government and security agencies to urgently intervene and increase their presence, warning that violent attacks are getting closer to the local government’s headquarters.