Bandits kill Aide of Katsina Governor and Wife, Abduct 28 Others

Bandits have killed Salisu Ango, Governor Umar Dikko Radda’s liaison officer, in Gyaza village, Kankia Local Government Area, Katsina State, and his first wife.

Ango, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Kankia Chapter was shot dead along with his wife when the bandits stormed his home on Friday, August 16, 2024.

His second wife was also abducted during the attack.

In another incident of banditry in Kankia Local Government Area, bandits on Saturday night reportedly carried out a raid on Tashar Gamji community.

The armed criminals moved from house to house, stealing an unspecified number of domestic animals. Residents reported that the bandits also made away with food items and other valuables during the attack.

Also, in a separate attack but this time, on Shirgi community in Batsari Local Government Area, the gunmen killed one person, injured another, and abducted 28 others. The assailants also rustled several domestic animals from the community.

A resident of Shirgi, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bandits invaded the village on Sunday night, targeting women and children. The assailants shot and killed one ‘Amadu Suru’ while he was trying to secure his animals.

The Katsina State Police Command has confirmed both attacks. While the command has acknowledged the incident in Kankia, it is yet to confirm the details of the Shirgi attack, promising to release an official statement after receiving a report.

from the Divisional Police Officer in Batsari.

Unlike Batsari, Kankia has historically been less affected by banditry. However, sharing borders with Dutsinma and Danmusa, areas notorious for bandit attacks, has made Kankia vulnerable to occasional incursions.

The recent killing of the governor’s aide is one example of this growing threat.