Several people have been killed and properties destroyed after bandits attacked Doma community in the Tafoki area of Faskari Local Government Area, Katsina State, on Tuesday.
Gatekeepers News reports that the attack, which occurred at about 4:30 p.m., left houses, shops and vehicles burnt, while many residents were forced to flee their homes.
The assailants, who were reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles, stormed the community barely five months after a peace agreement was reached in the area.
The Chairman of Faskari Local Government Area, Sirajo Daudawa, described the incident as a suspected reprisal attack.
“The situation is indeed very unfortunate. We have not recorded any bad moments over the past five months, except for this that we found ourselves.
“We lost at least 20 people. Several houses and vehicles were burnt down by the hoodlums. Security agencies were duly informed, but unfortunately, none of them was able to report to the scene until after the bandits achieved their mission.
“The bodies of the deceased were retrieved at the Tafoki area, and will be buried tomorrow [Wednesday] morning,” he said.
Daudawa expressed sympathy with the affected residents.
“We are sympathising with the Doma community and Tafoki ward, Faskari LGA, and Katsina State people in general over this tragedy. May Almighty Allah have mercy on those killed and bring this to an end,” he added.
Police Condemn Attack, Deploy Team
The Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, also commiserated with the families of the victims and condemned the attack.
He directed the immediate deployment of additional resources to investigate the incident and arrest those responsible.
In a statement issued Tuesday night by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Sadiq, the commissioner said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) mobilised operatives, in collaboration with the military and members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC), to the scene.
However, the police said the assailants had already fled.
According to the statement, 13 people were confirmed dead before security operatives arrived.
The police added that normalcy has since been restored to the affected area.
“Further development will be communicated in due course, please,” the statement said.
