At least seven people were killed and 100 kidnapped on Saturday night when gunmen attacked a rural community in Nigeria's northwestern Katsina state, residents and police said on Sunday, the latest attack against residents in the north of the country.
Armed gangs, known locally as bandits, have frequently raided communities in the northwest, kidnapping residents, students and motorists for ransom.
Residents said gunmen on motorbikes arrived in Maidabino village in Danmusa local government area of Katsina, and started shooting sporadically, forcing residents to flee.
Hassan Aliyu told Reuters by phone that the attack took residents by surprise and dozens of women and children were confirmed missing.
"They killed seven people, including burning two children," Aliyu said. "They spent more than six hours destroying our properties."
Auwalu Ismail, another resident, said the gunmen first blocked all roads leading to Maidabino before the attack.
"They burnt down our shops, vehicles, and took away our livestock. They also kidnapped my wife and more than 100 women and children," he said.
Katsina state police spokesperson Abubakar Aliyu Sadiq confirmed the attack and the seven deaths but would not say whether anyone was missing. He said police were investigating.
"The remaining men who did not flee are living in fear ... and waiting to hear news about their abducted loved ones," said Muhammad Sani, whose sister was abducted.
Latest Stories
-
Baby abandoned in manhole in Tema Community 1
4 mins -
We’ll establish fiscal council to rein in excessive borrowing – Finance Minister
10 mins -
Mortuary workers issue fresh strike threat
14 mins -
‘Lapses in banking system are not unique’ – John Awuah on managing fraud in Ghana’s Banks
22 mins -
Bawumia confident of victory in 2024 election
56 mins -
Strengthening audit institutions essential for tackling fiscal mismanagement – Domelevo
1 hour -
Healthy Aging: The Role of the Gut Microbiome and How Diet Can Help
1 hour -
Seek medical care, diagnosis for breast cancer – Dr Abiti to women
1 hour -
Hardship: Men now collect marriage list from different families to get cheapest – Report
1 hour -
‘If you’re looking for trouble, you’ll get it,’ Falz tells VeryDarkMan
1 hour -
Paramount Chief of Avenor grateful to NPP, calls for completion of Agenda 111 project
2 hours -
Bawumia commissions ultramodern office complex for Ho Municipal Assembly
2 hours -
Bawumia declares NPP’s infrastructure record unmatched
2 hours -
Importers face duty on Electric Vehicles despite gov’t’s exemption promises
2 hours -
4 additional Democracy Hub protesters discharged
2 hours