Bandits Kill Two Community Leaders In Katsina, Abduct Several Residents Despite 'Peace Deal'

Two community leaders were killed and several residents abducted on Thursday when bandits attacked Doguwar Dorawa, a farming community near Guga in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Community sources said the assailants invaded the village around 10pm, killing two brothers, Alhaji Bishir and Alhaji Surajo, despite an existing "peace deal" between the communities and the bandits. 

A community leader, Mahadi Danbinta Guga, said they were killed in cold blood, Daily Trust reports. 

Residents said the attackers arrived on motorcycles, parked them in the bush, and walked into the village to avoid being noticed. 

They operated in the village for over an hour, killing, looting, and abducting people without resistance.

Residents said the attackers are believed to be loyalists of Idi Abasu Aiki and Kwashen Garwa, two bandit leaders operating in Bakori and nearby communities.

While Doguwar Dorawa was attacked, Layin ‘Yannehu was simultaneously raided, with bandits rustling a number of animals. 

Similar incidents have occurred in Ganjar, Alhazawa, and Gidan Nagari in recent weeks, with over 40 people abducted and several families displaced.

As of filing this report, neither the Katsina State Government nor the Bakori Local Government Council had issued a statement on the latest killings.

In the second week of October, Bakori, along with Malumfashi and Funtua local government areas, entered a peace accord with bandits to reduce attacks, killings, and abductions.