The attackers initially abducted 32 residents of Shuwaki but later released an ailing woman who could not continue the journey, leaving 31 people in captivity.
Armed bandits have killed one resident, injured at least seven and abducted 32 others during an attack on the Shuwaki community in the Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State on Saturday.
The raid was the latest in neighbouring communities in Bakori, some of which have forced residents to flee their homes and raised concerns about farming and other economic activities in the area.
Mahadi Guga, a resident of Guga who has been documenting attacks in the area, told PREMIUM TIMES that Unguwar Dogo and Alhazawa were attacked the previous night to the attack on Shuwaki.
Mr Guga said several other communities in Bakori had been attacked since late July, resulting in deaths, abductions and livestock theft.
Aminu Magaji, a former chairman of Bakori Local Government Area, provided details of the Shuwaki attack in an interview broadcast by JBC Hausa.
Mr Magaji said the attackers entered Shuwaki, in Jargaba Ward, between 9 p.m. and 9.45 p.m. and operated for between one and a half and two hours.
“They killed one person and injured at least seven others whom they shot,” he said in Hausa.
“They also took cattle and sheep and abducted 32 people.”
Mr Magaji said the attackers later released one of the abducted women near Doma village because she was ill and unable to continue walking.
He said information received from Doma indicated that the attackers proceeded towards the forest with the remaining captives.
Mr Magaji said women were the majority of the 31 people still being held, some of them carrying infants.
He did not clarify whether the infants were included in the figure.
No communication or ransom demand had been received from the attackers at the time of the interview, Mr Magaji said.
He added that the assailants took mobile phones from residents and phone-charging centres during the raid.
Mr Magaji said some people who later called the stolen phones had their calls answered by individuals claiming that the devices were in the attackers’ possession.
Mr Magaji said he contacted the divisional police officer in Bakori and members of the Katsina Community Watch Corps while the attack was underway.
He said local security personnel assembled around the eastern part of Jargaba, while the divisional police officer contacted soldiers who approached through Kangaranya in an attempt to block the attackers’ escape routes.
According to him, security personnel deployed in at least five vehicles but were unable to intercept the attackers or rescue the captives.
“The security personnel went there and made every effort, but they could not overpower them and stop them from taking the people away,” he said.
It remained unclear whether security personnel exchanged gunfire with the attackers or how the assailants escaped with the captives despite the reported attempt to block their routes.
Mr Guga said the Shuwaki raid followed attacks on Unguwar Dogo and Alhazawa, also known as Gidan Nagari, on Friday, 31 July.
He said one person was seriously injured during the attacks, while cattle and other property were taken.
Mr Magaji said residents fled Unguwar Dogo after the attack, with some moving to Bakori and Funtua towns and others seeking safety in neighbouring villages.
Some residents of Shuwaki had also begun packing their belongings and leaving following the mass abduction, he said.
“Everyone in Shuwaki is frightened,” Mr Magaji said.
“Some people have started packing their belongings and leaving the area as I speak.”
Mr Guga said suspected bandits had attacked Unguwar Dangida in Kandarawa Ward and Gangaren Makurdi in Jargaba Ward on 24 July.
One person was reportedly killed in Unguwar Dangida, while livestock was taken from both communities.
He said attackers raided Rawul in Kurami/Yankwani Ward the following night, 25 July, killing two brothers and abducting nine residents, including eight women.
