A gunman’s attack in northern Nigeria left seven people dead and numerous others missing

Residents and police said on Sunday that gunmen invaded a rural town in northwest Nigeria’s Katsina state on Saturday night, killing at least seven people and kidnapping 100 more. This is the latest attack against those living in the country’s north.

Armed gangs, referred to as bandits in the area, have often invaded northwest towns, robbing locals, students, and drivers of their valuables in exchange for ransom.

According to the locals, gunmen on motorbikes entered Maidabino hamlet in the Danmusa local government area of Katsina and began firing intermittently, forcing the villagers to escape.

By phone, Hassan Aliyu told Reuters that the attack caught the locals off guard and that scores of women and children had been officially reported missing.

“They killed seven people, including burning two children,” stated Aliyu. “They spent more than six hours destroying our properties.”

Another resident named Auwalu Ismail claimed that prior to the incident, the gunmen had blocked all routes going to Maidabino.

“They stole our livestock and set fire to our cars and shops. In addition, they abducted almost a hundred women and children, including my wife,” he claimed.

Abubakar Aliyu Sadiq, a spokesman for the Katsina State Police, confirmed the attack and the seven fatalities but would not comment on any unaccounted-for dead. He claimed that an investigation was underway by the police.

Muhammad Sani, whose sister was kidnapped, said, “The remaining men who did not flee are living in fear… and waiting to hear news about their abducted loved ones.”