Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, has confirmed that no fewer than five people have been reportedly killed by bandits in Saturday’s attack, PUNCH ONLINE reports.

DSP Abubakar, while confirming the attack on Gobirawa Community of Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State on Tuesday, said the hoodlums also set two vehicles ablaze.

“Five persons fatally shot and two vehicles set ablaze. Investigation is ongoing with a view to arresting the perpetrators and forestalling further occurrence”, he told PUNCH.

Meanwhile, an eyewitness from the community, Sani Abdullahi Kuki, confirmed in a telephone conversation with newsmen on Monday that bandits have reportedly killed no less than 19 people at the community on Saturday night.

The PUNCH learnt that the hoodlums, armed with dangerous weapons, reasonably coming from the neighbouring Danmusa forest, invaded the community at about 9:00 pm and started shooting sporadically, killing several people on the spot as several others were still unaccounted for with residents demanding more security presence in the community, calling on relevant authorities to assist them as war, according to them, is gradually moving closer to the Local Government Headquarters.

He explained that, during the attack, an unspecified number of persons, mostly women, children and the elderly, were abducted; and entire shops belonging to residents were burnt down; and over 20 houses were set ablaze.

“This is totally out of control. I couldn’t even stay till the end to witness the entire burial process of one of the deceased because I couldn’t control my anger. I left the cemetery at the time when personnel were digging graves for the five other victims who were burnt to death.

“Some of the residents who sought refuge inside grain silos were set ablaze by the hoodlums. Some were burnt beyond recognition and were recovered on Sunday morning for burial.

“Some of the victims were sent to Dutsinma General Hospital; others were referred to Katsina Hospital after the incident.

“The bandits killed 19 persons on the spot. Several others were still unaccounted for. As of now, I don’t think there are at least 20 women staying in the community. Many people were evacuated to safer places in 20 vehicles.

“All the shops in the community were burnt down. Over 20 houses set ablaze. The hoodlums, reasonably coming from the neighbouring Danmusa forest, also abducted an unspecified number of persons, mostly women, children and the elderly.

“Upon sighting the Armoured Protective Carrier Vehicle approaching the community, the hoodlums ran away.

“We are calling on relevant authorities to assist us, please as war is coming closer to the local government headquarters. We also need more security presence,” he said.