A night of deadly bandits’ attack has claimed at least nineteen persons at Gobirawa Community in Kuki ward of Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The hoodlums, armed with dangerous weapons and coming from the neighboring Danmusa forest, invaded the community at about 9:00 pm on Saturday. They shot sporadically, killing several people on the spot.

Several persons were unaccounted for following the incident, with residents demanding more security presence in the community.

They called on relevant authorities to assist them, as war, according to them, is gradually moving closer to the local government headquarters.

Although the Katsina State Police Command spokesman, Abubakar Sadiq, did not answer his phone calls, nor respond to text messages sent to him, eyewitness, Sani Abdullahi Kuki, confirmed the attack to Channels Television on a telephone call on Monday.

Kuki explained that, during the attack, an unspecified number of persons, mostly women, children, and the elderly, were abducted. He said shops belonging to residents were also burnt down, and over 20 houses were set ablaze.

He recalled that the hoodlums invaded the community last year, where they killed seven people on the spot.

While describing the attack as totally out of control, Kuki noted that five of those killed were burnt to death by the hoodlums. Several others were rushed to Dutsinma General Hospital, and some were referred to the Katsina General Hospital for immediate medical attention.

“This is totally out of control. I couldn’t even stay till the end to witness the entire burial process of one of the deceased because I couldn’t control my anger. I left the cemetery at the time when personnel were digging graves for the five other victims who were burnt to death,” he said.

“Some of the residents who sought refuge inside grain silos, were set ablaze by the hoodlums. Some were burnt beyond recognition and were recovered on Sunday morning for burial.

“Some of the victims were sent to Dutsinma General Hospital, others were referred to Katsina Hospital after the incident.

“The bandits killed 19 persons on the spot. Several others were still unaccounted for. As of now, I don’t think at least 20 women are staying in the community. Many people were evacuated to safer places in 20 vehicles.

“All the shops in the community were burnt down. Over 20 houses were set ablaze. The hoodlums, reasonably coming from the neighboring Danmusa forest, also abducted an unspecified number of persons, mostly women, children, and the elderly.

“Upon sighting the Armored Protective Carrier Vehicle, approaching towards the community, the hoodlums run away.

“We are calling on relevant authorities to assist us, please, as war is coming closer to the local government headquarters. We also need more security presence.”