A routine trip to a local market has turned deadly for a group of traders in Katsina State, as their convoy of vehicles fell victim to a bandit ambush.
The incident occurred in Danmusa Local Government Area, where the traders were travelling from Maidabino village to the weekly market in Yantumaki.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but residents suspected it was carried out by the notorious bandits that have plagued the region.
As gathered, the traders always travelled in convoys, due to the security situation in the area. But on this fateful morning, their convoy encountered a gang of bandits, who suddenly emerged from a forest near Yantumaki.
The bandits opened fire on the vehicles, causing chaos and panic among the traders. By the time security forces arrived at the scene, six traders had tragically lost their lives. But it could not be verified whether some of the traders were abducted.
According to a source, “The traders have always been travelling in convoys to the market because of the security situation. So, today (Friday), the traders gathered themselves together and left Maidabino village for the weekly market in Yantumaki. But the bandits appeared from the forest and barricaded the highway. They opened fire on their vehicles.”
The Police Public Relations Officer for the state, Abubakar Aliyu, confirmed the incident. But he said he did not have details of the attack as at press time.
Katsina has a history of violent attacks by gunmen, and the latest incident underlined the continued threat being faced by its residents. It would be recalled that in October 2023, a similar attack in the Danmusa LGA resulted in five deaths and 12 injuries, with five residents also kidnapped.
The state governor, Dikko Radda, has collaborated with a joint security team to combat the threat of terrorism. The team, in December 2023, successfully foiled a terrorist attack on the Zakka community in Safana Local Government Area, providing a glimmer of hope for the safety of residents in the state.
