Bandits Defy Peace Deal In Kankara, Katsina, Kill Resident, Kidnap Imam

 Bandits Defy Peace Deal In Katsina Community, Kill Resident, Abduct Imam, Worshippers Before Dawn Prayer

Suspected bandits have carried out fresh attacks in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing a community member and abducting several residents, including a cleric, despite a recent peace deal reached with armed groups ahead of the Ramadan fasting period.

SaharaReporters gathered that the first attack occurred around midnight on Thursday in Gangaren Mangwarori area of Kankara town when gunmen stormed the community.

During the raid, the attackers reportedly killed a respected resident, identified as Malam Surajo, and abducted an elderly woman known as Gwamma.

Meanwhile, the assailants who arrived on motorcycles and fired sporadically to scare residents, operated for several minutes before fleeing with the abducted victim.

Hours later, at about 6:00 a.m. on Friday, the bandits struck again in Marabar Gurbi community, also within Kankara Local Government Area.

Residents said the attackers abducted several villagers, including the community’s second imam (Na’ibi), Malam Jamilu Marabar Gurbi.

It was gathered that the cleric was on his way to the mosque for Subhi (Fajr) prayer after observing Sahoor, the early morning meal during Ramadan, when the gunmen intercepted and kidnapped him.

A security alert monitor, Bakatsine, also confirmed the incidents on Friday, noting that the attacks occurred despite the earlier peace agreement.

Kankara Local Government Area has been one of the flashpoints of banditry in Katsina State, with residents frequently targeted for kidnappings, killings and raids on rural communities.

The attacks have caused a fresh fears among residents who had hoped that the peace arrangement reportedly reached between community stakeholders and armed groups before Ramadan would reduce violence in the area.

Residents say the latest incidents have deepened doubts about the effectiveness of peace deals with armed groups, as communities continue to suffer attacks even during the Ramadan period when many had expected a reduction in violence.