At least seven people have reportedly been killed after suspected bandits attacked Unguwar Guru community in Sukuntuni Ward of Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The attackers, numbering about 40, reportedly stormed the community in the early hours of Monday and opened fire sporadically, apparently to scare residents and prevent them from organising any resistance.
Residents told Daily Trust that the attackers also moved from house to house, shooting at residents and setting some houses ablaze during the operation.
One of the victims was identified as Malam Sule of Unguwar Guru, who was reportedly shot by the attackers.
The incident has thrown the community into mourning, with residents fleeing their homes for fear of further attacks.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers arrived in large numbers and immediately began shooting.
‘They surrounded the community before opening fire. People had no option but to run for their lives,’ the resident said.
Another resident said the attackers operated for several hours, moving around the settlement and causing panic among the residents.
He said the community had remained vulnerable to attacks because of its location and the activities of armed groups operating in surrounding areas.
The latest attack also reportedly affected neighbouring communities, including Duza in the Rimaye area of Kankia Local Government Area.
The development has further raised concerns over the security of rural communities in Kankia, especially those located close to areas where bandits are known to operate.
Unguwar Guru, according to residents, has suffered repeated attacks in recent times, forcing some families to abandon their homes and seek refuge in safer communities.
Residents appealed to the state government and security agencies to strengthen the deployment of personnel in the affected communities and launch sustained operations against the attackers.
When contacted, the Katsina State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Sadiq Aliyu, said he would verify the information and provide further details.
As of the time of filing this report, the police had not officially confirmed the casualty figure or the number of houses reportedly burnt.