Bandits attack Katsina village, kill ‘seven’ vigilantes, residents

Bandits have reportedly killed Sanusi Hassan, commander of the Katsina community watch corps in Kankara LGA of the state.

Abubakar Salihu, a resident who spoke with TheCable on Saturday, said the bandits ambushed members of the corps at Yar Tepa village on Friday.

Salihu said during the gun battle, the corps commander was killed alongside four vigilantes and two residents.

He said the attack was staged by two bandit leaders who recently set up a camp at Yar Tepa.

“Those are the two notorious bandits kingpins terrorising residents in the area,” he said.

The International Human Rights Advocacy and Awareness Centre (IHRAAC), a non-government organisation, has condemned the ambush on the community watch corps.

The organisation called for a thorough investigation into the incident, adding that the perpetrators must be brought to justice.

“IHRAAC extends heartfelt condolences to the Community Watch Corps and mourns the loss of commander Ustaz Sanusi Hassan and other officers who tragically perished in the recent ambush,” IHRAAC said on Friday.

“The untimely demise of commander Ustaz Sanusi Hassan is a significant blow not only to the community watch corps but also to the entire community of Kankara and Katsina state. His leadership and dedication will be sorely missed.

“IHRAAC strongly condemns the heinous act of violence against commander Ustaz Sanusi Hassan and community watch corps officers, highlighting the escalating insecurity in Katsina state. Urgent action is needed to address the root causes of banditry and criminality.

“IHRAAC demands a swift and thorough investigation into the ambush, focusing on identifying and bringing the perpetrators to justice.”

When contacted, Abubakar Aliyu, police spokesperson in Katsina, could not confirm the killing of the watch corps commander and the six others, but said he would verify and revert.

He was yet to get back with an update at the time of filing this report.

In October 2023, Dikko Radda, governor of Katsina, established the community watch corps as part of measures to tackle banditry in the state.