BY IBRAHIM DAHIRU – It was an evening of terror and horror in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State as bandits attacked Doma Community, leaving several persons dead, with houses, shops, and vehicles destroyed in the raid.
Reports said the incident, which took place in the Community located within Tafoki area of the LGA at about 4:30 pm on Tuesday, has rendered many people homeless.
Security reports indicated that armed with weapons, including AK-47 rifles, the bandits stormed the community five months after a peace agreement was reached with the State government.
This is as the Chairman of Faskari Local Government Area, Sirajo Daudawa, hinted that the incident was a suspected reprisal attack.
According to him: “The situation is indeed very unfortunate. We have not recorded any bad moments over the past five months, except for this that we found ourselves.
“We lost at least 20 people. Several houses and vehicles were burnt down by the hoodlums. Security agencies were duly informed, but unfortunately, none of them was able to report to the scene until after the bandits achieved their mission.
“The bodies of the deceased were retrieved at the Tafoki area, and will be buried tomorrow [Wednesday] morning.”
He further added: “We are sympathising with the Doma community and Tafoki ward, Faskari LGA, and Katsina State people in general over this tragedy. May Almighty Allah have mercy on those killed and bring this to an end”.
Police Deploy Team, Condemn Attack
Reacting to the unfortunate incident, the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State, Bello Shehu, has sent his condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the deadly attack.
Shehu, who also condemned the attack, directed the deployment of additional resources to expedite the investigation and arrest of the perpetrators.
In a statement on Tuesday night by the spokesman of the Katsina State Police Command, Abubakar Sadiq, the Commissioner, said the DPO mobilised operatives, in collaboration with the military, and members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC), to the scene of the incident.
He said unfortunately, the assailants had fatally shot 13 persons and escaped the scene before the arrival of the operatives.
While normalcy has been restored to the area, an investigation into the incident is underway.
However, with normalcy being restored in the affected area, the Police Command explained that, an investigation into the incident is already underway and “further development will be communicated in due course, please”.
