Bandits kill 2, kidnap woman, daughter during Tarawih prayers in Katsina

Musa Faskari, the Chairman of Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, has confirmed the killing of two worshippers observing Tarawih prayers at the Mairua community of the council.

The Chair, in an interview with BBC Hausa Service, said the attack occurred during Tarawih prayers Saturday night.

“The assailants stormed the home of Alhaji Lado Mairua during the prayers and demanded that he should follow them, but he refused. So, they shot him dead,” he said.

Faskari revealed that Lado’s neighbour, who arrived at the scene on a motorcycle, on witnessing the incident, raised the alarm and was also killed by the assailants.

He confirmed that the attack led to the kidnap of Alhaji Lado Mairua’s wife and his 15-year-old daughter.

He said: “This is the second time his wife will be kidnapped by the bandits. The situation of Faskari residents is terrible. The bandits have set up several camps in our council, and these attacks have become almost an everyday experience for us.”

Faskari expressed worries over the thriving boldness of the bandits, adding, “Earlier Saturday, they invaded Malalai village and killed two persons and went away with two other women.”

He also stated that a soldier was killed in Ruwan Godiya on the same day.

“We are calling on the Federal Government to look into our plight. This situation is proving to be beyond what the state alone can handle.

“Unless security forces take the fight to the bandits, the attacks will continue, and there will be no end to their menace. There’s an urgent need to invade their hideouts and crush them,” he said.