Bandits have killed at least 20 farmers, three other residents, and a community watch corps operative, popularly called C’watch in Katsina State.

The separate incidents took place in Kankara Local Government Area, one of the frontline LGAs in the state.

A resident of the community who pleaded anonymity told our reporter that, “about six days ago, bandits attacked farmers in Yargoje, Kwakware, Danmarke, Gidan Dawa and some from Burdugau.

“They killed about 20 farmers, kidnapped some and rustled the animals with which they tilled their farms,” he said.

Another source told Daily Trust that on Monday, bandits also launched an attack on Marmara village, also in Kankara local government where they engaged a team of the community watch corps together with members of civilian JTF, killing a C’watch member and injuring two members of civilian JTF outside the village.

“They had also penetrated Marmara village where they killed three residents,” the source said.

Daily Trust also gathered that on the same Monday, at night, the bandits visited some communities east of Kwakware village where an unidentified number of residents were kidnapped and animals rustled.

A resident of Kankara, who preferred not to be named, said the recent incessant attacks in the local government might not be unconnected with the recent peace deals reached in some neighbouring LGAs.

“So long as there will be a peace agreement in one place and not in all other affected areas, there is every tendency that the bandits will strike where they are not in peace with,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Katsina Police Command said it has succeeded in foiling a kidnap attempt at Mazare village, Sabuwa LGA, Katsina, rescuing four victims, including three females and a baby girl.

A statement issued by the command’s spokesman, Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, said on June 18, at about 9pm, a report of a suspected attack and kidnapping attempt on the village by a group of suspected bandits was received at the Sabuwa Division, stating that the assailants shot and injured two persons.

The victims were Sa’idu Isa, 37, and Sa’idu Wa’alam, 61, all of the same address, while three females and a baby were kidnapped.

“Upon receipt of the report, the DPO mobilised and led a team of police operatives to the scene, where a gun battle ensued, leading to the successful rescue of all four kidnapped victims unharmed as the assailants fled the scene due to superior firepower.

“The injured victims were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention, where they are receiving and responding to treatment,” Aliyu said.

Daily Trust