Again, bandits kill five, abduct four in Katsina

Bandits have killed four people working in their farmlands at Jibia Local Council of Katsina State.

The incident occurred on Monday around 11.00 a.m. at Gurbin Magarya and Zaure in Kukar Babangida area of the council area.

While three persons were killed at Gurbin Magarya, one person was eliminated in Zaure, Kukar Babangida area. 

A source, while lamenting the incident, called for more cooperation between residents and security operatives to effectively address the menace in the state.

The latest incident came about 24 hours after hoodlums killed five policemen and injured one other during an attack in the same council area. 

The cops were reported to be moving from their base at Zandam village to Jibia when they were ambushed by the assailants.

EQUALLY, hoodlums, in the wee hours of Monday, assassinated an employee of the Federal University, Dutsinma (FUDMA), Katsina State, Dr Tiri Gyal, and abducted two of his sons. 
 
The incident, which occurred between 1.00 a.m. and 2.00 a.m., also saw the bandits abducting two women, who are sisters to one Mr Adeola, and another FUDMA staff.
 
The attackers also harassed several people, particularly women, and were said to have seized their handsets and funds during the operation. 
 
Gyal was Deputy Dean, Faculty of Agriculture of the institution. 
 
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Armaya’u Bichi, who confirmed the incident, said: “They killed one of our staff, Dr Tiri Gyal, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Agriculture. They killed him and abducted two of his male children.” 
 
He said the body of the deceased had been deposited at the General Hospital, Dutsinma prior to being ferried to Katsina town much more lately. 
 
The incident comes less than a month after bandits abducted two staff members of the institution, alongside the son of one of the victims, at their GRA residence, Dutsinma.
 
Also last October, bandits, in their number, abducted five female students, who were staying at a lodge located adjacent the institution. 
 
Four of the students ended up staying in their abductors’ den for 74 days before being released, while one spent 47 days before her release. 

FUDMA is located in one of the council areas faced with security challenges, and sited few metres away from expanse of brushes. 
 
The past and recent incidents have raised concerns among stakeholders on the security of students and staff of the institution. 
 
On the latest developments, spokesperson for the state police command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, did not respond to inquiries as at the time of filing this report.