In a harrowing night of terror, bandits unleashed a brutal assault on Maidabino, one of Katsina state’s largest towns in Danmusa local government area. The attackers, numbering several, descended upon the town with vengeance, resulting in the tragic loss of nine lives and the abduction of 50 individuals, predominantly women and children.
According to a resident who shared details with reporters, the bandits operated unchecked for hours, wreaking havoc as they went. They set fire to over 10 houses, razed 15 shops to the ground, and left at least nine vehicles charred in their wake. The town endured the onslaught from 10 pm on Saturday until approximately 2:30 am on Sunday, plunging the community into a state of fear and devastation.
The genesis of the rampage reportedly stemmed from an earlier encounter where traders, returning from Yantumaki market in a convoy escorted by the military, were forced to halt in Danmusa due to banditry along their intended route to Maidabino. This incident, unfortunately, escalated tensions, prompting the bandits to mobilize reinforcements from Zamfara and neighboring areas.
An unnamed source confirmed the overwhelming nature of the attack, noting that despite the presence of soldiers in Maidabino, they were unable to prevent the bandits’ onslaught. This resurgence of violence in Katsina, particularly in frontline areas like Kankara and Danmusa, has escalated concerns over security and safety in the region.
Speaking on the incident, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the police spokesman in Katsina, acknowledged the tragic events, confirming that seven lives were lost during the attack. He assured the public that investigations were underway, promising updates as developments unfold.
