Less than 48 hours after Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists slaughtered 40 persons in Rann, Borno State, another band of terrorists stormed Gakurdi village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State on Tuesday, gunning down 15 farmers.
A resident who confirmed the invasion and the killings told Daily Trust that the victims of the Katsina attack were gunned down while they were preparing their farms ahead of the rainy season.
Explaining that the terrorists rode into the village on four motorcycles, the resident noted that they were initially headed for Gakurdi village when they sighted the farmers and began shooting at them.
“They came around 8:30 am today (Tuesday), using four motorcycles and started killing the people. Three were killed on the same farm and eventually it was discovered that up to 15 were killed on different farms,” he said.
He added that by the time the villagers discovered what was happening, the attackers had fled the area.
In a related development, terrorists rustled over 100 cows at Danye Gaba village, Bugaje ward also in Jibia LGA.
Danne Gaba village is said to be about two kilometres away from the 17 Brigade, a military barracks in Katsina.
A resident who craved anonymity, said the cows, belonging to about seven persons were taken away by the rustlers around 1:30am on Tuesday.
He alleged that the movement of the criminals was known since around 8pm on Monday and different security agencies were alerted but no proactive measure was taken until the terrorists struck.
However, another resident who confirmed the incident said there was exchange of gunfire between the criminals and the security agents during the attack.
When contacted for confirmation, the Katsina State Police Spokesperson, SP Gambo Isah, said: “Right now, we are there with the CP to access the situation.”
First published in Daily Trust