Policeman, Six Others Killed As Bandits Attack Katsina

A gun duel between bandits and mobile police officers attached to Zandam, a community in the Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State had led to the death of six people.

The spokesman for the Katsina police command, Gambo Isah, while confirming the incident to newsmen in a statement on Tuesday (today), said those killed include three residents of the village and three bandits.

Naija News learnt that the assailants in their large numbers attacked the village at about 5 pm on Monday and killed three residents – all males. Five residents were said to have sustained degrees of injuries while the bandits also burnt down an uncompleted building being used as a clinic in the village.

Isah further explained that the fierce encounter led to the death of a police inspector serving in the community.

He said: “On 31/5/2021 at about 17:00hrs, Bandits in large number, armed with sophisticated weapons, on motorcycles invaded Zandam village, Jibia LGA of the state.

“The Bandits had a fierce gun battle with the mobile policemen deployed to the village. At the scene, it was discovered that three residents (all males) were shot and killed by the hoodlums while five others sustained injuries. The team succeeded and gunned down three of the armed bandits. One Inspector of police gallantly lost his life during the encounter. An uncompleted clinic block was set ablaze by the hoodlums.

“Police reinforcement were deployed to the area and Injured persons were given first Aid and moved to General Hospital. Investigation in progress with a view to tracking down the fleeing hoodlums.”

This is coming a day after bandits killed no fewer than 13 people including a police officer, injured several others in the Beri community in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

Speaking to Naija News on Monday, an eyewitness said the bandits invaded the community in a truck in the early hours of Monday and shooting sporadically in the air.

He added that the bandits then proceeded to attack a police station in the town and set it ablaze, before raiding shops, and invading homes.

It was, however, noted that the bandits engaged security agents in a gun duel, leading to the death of some of the bandits.