Bloody week in Katsina: Terrorists kill 17, abduct school principal, many others

.8 scrapped metal scavengers killed in Borno

BY ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina and AHMED MARI, Maiduguri

Available statistics shows it has been a bloody week since last Tuesday across no fewer than five local government areas across Katsina State following heightened terrorists attacks.

Investigations showed that no fewer than 17 persons were killed in almost daily onslaughts leaving many others injured as property and valuables were lost at gun points in Kankara, Faskari, Funtua, Batagarawa and Jibia Local Government Areas.

The terrorists, in this Tuesday’s attacks, killed three persons and abducted several others, including a school principal in Yan Tabki, Unguwar Usyaka and Company Daudawa  communities, Funtua Local Government Area.

This came on the heels of the gunmen onslaughts in Batagarawa and Jibia Local Council Areas said to have claimed about four lives while a few sustained gunshot wounds as dozens escaped been kidnapped.

Recall that the massacre of five police men and three civilians in Katsina within the period under review was quickly followed by another incident in Ruwangodiya community in Faskari LGA where six persons were killed and six others scampered to safety injuries.

Sources said a middle day terrorists operation along ever -busy Katsina – Jibia Road yesterday was however foiled by the prompt arrival of local vigilance groups from Jibia barely two days after a driver of government – owned commercial bus was killed by suspected bandits and cattle rustlers that were about to cross the highway.

Spokesman of the state police command, Gambo Isah, could not be reached for comments as at press time.

Meanwhile, No fewer than eight scrapped  metal scavengers were reportedly killed on Monday by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) concealed in a scrapped metal by Boko Haram insurgents in Bama local government area of Borno state.

Our correspondents gathered that the scavengers were said to been buying a scrapped metals for Boko Haram insurgents in the buses but on the faithful day the insurgents concealed the IED in the scrapped metals on receiving the metals it exploded killing 8 of them, while others sustained various degree of injuries.

A resident of the town who dies not want his name in print alleged that some of the scavengers were repentant Boko Haram that have been having transaction with the insurgents before the faithful day.

It could be recalled that some weeks ago, the insurgents killed  scavengers in Kala Balge  and Dikwa local government areas of the state that necessitated the setting up of committee to investigate the natter.

When our correspondent contacted the Borno state Police Public Relations,, ASP Sani Shatambaya said ” I am not aware but will find out and get back to you.”