Bandits kill 11 persons in Tsatskiya, Safana LGA of Katsina State, President’s home State
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday lamented the ‘madness’ going on in parts of the country, soliciting “all local leaders to talk to their youths and warn them against being used to incite and foment violence.”
In a statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Garba Shehu, President Buhari expressed regret on the attacks on security agents including military and police personnel, asking; “If we attack institutions guarding us, who will protect us in future emergencies?”
The statement, which also announced that the President has directed that all his Ramadan celebrations be limited due to the global Coronavirus crisis.
Towards that, there will be no traditional Sallah homage to the President by religious, community and political leaders this year.
According to the statement by Garba Shehu, “as Muslims in Nigeria join others globally in preparations towards Eid Al-Fitr, a day that is celebrated to mark the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting, President Buhari directs that all celebrations be limited due to the global Coronavirus crisis.
“To this effect, the President, First Family, his personal aides, members of cabinet and Service Chiefs who choose to remain in Abuja will congregate in full compliance with COVID-19 protocols at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa to observe the Eid prayers. Time fixed for the prayer is 9:00am.
“Thereafter, there will be no traditional Sallah homage to the President by religious, community and political leaders. As was the case last year, the President encourages such leaders to be content with modest celebrations at home in view of the pandemic.
“President Buhari specially thanks the Ulama (Islamic Clerics) and all other religious (Muslim, Christian) leaders who continue to pray for the wellbeing of the nation and its people.
“The President, in addition, takes this opportunity to condole with all who lost family members due to what he described as the ‘madness’ going on in parts of the country.”
The Presidential statement came on a day reports filtered that about 11 people were killed by bandits while three others sustained injuries in Tsatskiya town, Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, his home State.
The attacks took place on Saturday morning and is believed to be a reprisal mission by the bandits over the killing of their informant by the residents.
Sources said that four days prior to the attack, villagers had identified and killed an informant who was working for the bandits.
The source said that the attackers, who arrived on motorcycles, immediately began shooting indiscriminately which led to the death of 11 people.
The killings is forcing the mass exodus of the residents of the village for Dutsin-Ma, to seek refuge.
Katsina State Police Command’s spokesman, SP Gambo Isa, who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Katsina, said only three people were killed and not 11 as reported by the residents.