Bandits at the weekend killed no fewer than 47 people in multiple simultaneous attacks on Kurechin Atai; Kurechin Giye; Kurechin Dutse; Makauwachi and Daule villages in Katsina State.

According to official breakdown, 14 people were killed at Kurechin Atai in the Danmusa Local Government Area while four were killed at Kurechin Giye in the Dutsinma Local Government Area.

At Kurechin Dutse, also in the same council (Dutsinma), six people were killed.

The bandits also reportedly killed 19 and four people respectively at Makauwachi and at Daule villages in the Safana Local Government Area.

The spokesman for the Katsina Police Command, SP Gambo Isah, confirmed the development on Sunday and said the incident happened in the early hours of Saturday.

He, however, said that detachments of the Police, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Air force, Civil Defence and DSS had been drafted to the areas.

It was learnt that trouble started about 12.30 Saturday morning when the bandits attacked Kurechin village and the villagers repelled them.

The villagers, thereafter reportedly made bonfires of empty corn stalk to further scare off the bandits and keep the village safe.

Some local vigilantes called Yansakai then reportedly set ablaze some Fulani settlements at Aibon Mangwaro village, also in the same council (Danmusa).

The police spokesman revealed that three hours later, there were reports of organised and simultaneous attacks in all the villages where the casualties were recorded.

SP Isah said,

“Detachments of Police, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Airforce, Civil Defence and DSS have been drafted to the area while operation is still ongoing by the combined joint forces.”