Katsina Community Left Reeling After Bandits Launch Deadly Attack

A devastating attack by suspected bandits has left Kiliya village in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State in a state of mourning. The attack, which occurred on Friday, May 29, immediately after Juma'at prayers, claimed the lives of at least 16 people, with several others still unaccounted for. According to eyewitnesses, the bandits, who arrived on two motorcycles, struck while the villagers were outdoors, celebrating the Eid-el-Kabir festivities. The attackers targeted specific residential areas, leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake. An eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted the terrifying moments the attack occurred. 'We were sitting together after the Friday prayers when I bought a bowl of local drinks from a boy selling them. Suddenly, the bandits arrived, and the boy and I ran into a house to hide. While inside, we heard screams and gunshots everywhere. When the shooting stopped, and we came out, we found about 16 lifeless bodies, including some of my uncles and cousins,' the eyewitness said. The attack is believed by some residents to be a reprisal by the bandits, following the reported killing of two suspected members of a notorious gang by local vigilantes or villagers days earlier. 'From all indications, this appears to be a revenge attack. Two bandits were reportedly killed recently, and they were believed to be members of a notorious gang. That may have triggered this brutal retaliation against the village,' a source stated. The Katsina State police command has yet to comment on the incident.