Fear has gripped residents in parts of Katsina State following a new round of attacks by armed bandits, who struck two local government areas within 24 hours.
The latest incident occurred on Sunday night in Tamarke, a community under Bakori Local Government Area, where gunmen reportedly stormed the area and abducted a resident.
This followed closely on the heels of Saturday’s abduction of a respected Islamic scholar, Sheikh Mustapha Aliyu Unguwar Mai-Kawo, from Ƙankara Local Government Area.
Security analyst Bakatsine brought the development to public attention through a post on Twitter early Monday, expressing concern over the back-to-back assaults.
“ALERT: Yesterday night, bandits invaded the Tamarke community in Bakori LGA, Katsina State and abducted one person.
“Just less than 24 hours after the abduction of Sheikh Mustapha Aliyu Unguwar Mai-Kawo in Ƙankara LGA,” he tweeted, tagging Governor Dikko Radda and other notable figures.
Eyewitnesses from Tamarke described the attackers as arriving on motorcycles, shooting into the air to disperse locals before making away with their victim.
The identity of the abducted individual remains unconfirmed as of the time of this report.
The Katsina State Government and security agencies are yet to issue any official comment regarding the incidents.
Meanwhile, the twin attacks have intensified fears among villagers, many of whom worry that the state’s rural communities are becoming increasingly vulnerable to criminal gangs.
The North-West region, including Katsina, has remained a hotbed of violent attacks by bandits who target residents for ransom, with many questioning the effectiveness of current security interventions.
