Gunmen kidnap 26 in Katsina community

At least 26 persons have been abducted by gunmen at Runka town in the Safana LGA of Katsina state.

Aliyu Abubakar-Sadiq, spokesperson of the Katsina police command, confirmed the incident to TheCable on Tuesday.

“The attack happened at Runka town at Safana local government area of Katsina state on Monday night around 2am,” he said.

“Some of the bandits were wearing hijabs. They abducted about 26 people — male and female.”

The spokesperson added that the command is still investigating the attack.

The incident adds to the growing list of abductions and killings in Katsina.

Safana is among the LGAs severely affected by the activities of insurgents.

In 2023, security operatives also repelled an attack by bandits in Zakka community in Safana LGA of Katsina state.

On April 2, bandits abducted 18 children who were fetching firewood in Kasai community, Batsari LGA of the state.

On March 5, the Nigerian Army said its troops killed a notorious terrorist leader identified as Maikusa, during a counter-insurgency operation conducted in Kurfi and Safana LGAs of Katsina.

On July 2, gunmen invaded and killed Tiri Gyan David, a lecturer at the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA).