No fewer than sixteen persons are feared dead and several others missing after suspected bandits attacked Kiliya village in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State on Friday afternoon, May 29.
Channels TV reports that the residents had just finisged their Juma’at prayers and were gathered in celebration of the Eid-el-Kabir festivities when the bandit riding on motorcycles, stormed the community and opened fire on them.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was among villagers relaxing after prayers when two armed bandits rode into the area, triggering panic among residents.
“After the Friday prayers, we were sitting together when I called a boy selling local drinks and bought a bowl from him. Suddenly, the bandits arrived. The boy and I ran into a house and hid. While inside, we heard screams and gunshots everywhere. When the shooting eventually stopped, and we came out, we found about 16 lifeless bodies, including some of my uncles and cousins’’he said
Some residents believe the attack might have been a reprisal by bandits following the reported k!lling of two suspected members of a notorious criminal gang by local vigilantes or villagers days earlier.l
“From all indications, this appears to be a revenge attack. Two bandits were reportedly killed recently, and they were believed to be members of a notorious gang. That may have triggered this brutal retaliation against the village’’a source said
The Katsina State police command is yet to comment on this recent development.
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