Bandits kill eight in Katsina, including five Mobile policemen

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have shot persons at Gatikawa community, Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.

While five of the murdered persons were mobile police officers, who were said to be on special duty from Kano, the three other victims were civilians.

It was gathered that the incident happened at about 5:35 pm on Wednesday when over 300 bandits stormed the community and shot sporadically to scare the residents.

The gunmen, who wielded automatic weapons and rode on motorcycles, it was gathered, ransacked all the houses in the community and carted away valuables, including money and food items.

Several residents were also said to have been injured, especially those who attempted to escape.

Residents have been apprehensive since the attack, with many relocating to neighbouring communities for fear of another attack.

This is the second time within a month that bandits would kill police officers.

On July 5, 2022, gunmen killed the senior police officer in charge of the Dutsinma council area, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Aminu Umar, alongside one other police officer and several civilians.

State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Gambo Isah, was not available for comments as his phone was unreachable as of press time.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, Idrisu Dabban Dauda, has presented N14.6m cheques to families and next of kins of the policemen killed in active service, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Gambo Isah, said in a statement that the presentation of the cheques was part of the IGP’s Family Welfare Insurance Scheme being given to families of deceased policemen.