15 Katsina villages deserted as terrorists intensify attacks

At least 15 villages in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State have been deserted following a fresh wave of attacks by bandits.

Residents who spoke to the BBC said insecurity had also worsened in Funtua, Dandume and Bakori local government areas, particularly in communities across the southern part of the state.

They said the persistent attacks had created fear among residents, restricted movement and disrupted farming and other economic activities.

A resident of Funtua said bandits had extended their attacks into parts of the town despite the presence of security personnel.

“The way things are happening now shows that there is nowhere the bandits cannot attack in Funtua town. They recently came to Unity Bank, seized cattle and escaped with them,” he said.

The resident said security personnel engaged the bandits in a gun battle on Thursday after they attempted to seize cattle in the MTD area.

“They came to the MTD area to seize cattle, but security personnel engaged them in a gun battle and they were dispersed. One of them was arrested.

“They also entered the Unguwar Shanu neighbourhood, where they exchanged gunfire with security personnel before they were repelled. One of the bandits was killed, while they also killed one person.

“However, the security personnel are trying. Whenever they are called, they respond and provide assistance,” he said.

In Bakori, residents of more than 10 towns and villages, including Kakumi, Sabon Layi, Gidan Jaura and Garanguzai, also expressed concern over the continued attacks.

One of the residents said the activities of the bandits had made movement between communities increasingly dangerous.

“We are still dealing with these people. If you walk just about a kilometre outside the town, you can encounter them. They either shoot someone or seize the motorcycle you are riding.

“Even last Friday, they abducted two of our people, and they are still in their custody. We also have other people who remain in their den,” he said.

In Dandume, a resident said the attacks had become increasingly alarming, alleging that bandits were invading communities almost every day.

“For the past two weeks, there has not been a single day when these bandits did not come into the local government area to either kill people, abduct them or drive them away from their farms or homes.

“Sometimes they come once, sometimes twice. Taking livestock and people is what they do,” he said.

The resident further claimed that more than 100 people had been abducted in the area within two weeks, with many of the victims still being held captive.

“In these two weeks alone, they have abducted more than 100 people, and many of them are still in their custody. I know of cases where ransom money was taken to them and motorcycles were delivered, but they still refused to release the victims.

“In some other cases, we have not even been able to establish contact with the bandits to negotiate.

“Even when they abducted my son, I had to pay a ransom before he was released. That very time, they also took away more than 30 cattle,” he said.

The BBC reported that the repeated attacks had forced residents of several communities to flee to safer areas, leaving some villages deserted.

A resident of Dandume said about 15 villages had been completely abandoned.

“I know of about 15 villages that currently have no one living in them. There are no houses occupied, no people and nothing left. They have become deserted.

“We are not asking the government for infrastructure. We want peace. We want to be able to go to our farms and sleep peacefully in our homes,” he said.