At least 20 people consisting mostly of women and girls, have been abducted by suspected terrorists in Na-Alma village, in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The incident which occurred late Tuesday night and lasted into the early hours of Wednesday morning, happened when the gunmen stormed the community in their numbers riding on motorcycles.
A resident of the community who claimed to have escaped being abducted said the gunmen also set several houses on fire and carted away many household items.
“The terrorists abducted several girls, eight breastfeeding women and their babies, and two pregnant women. They also kidnapped a man whom they had earlier cut off one of his hands and leg,” the eyewitness said.
“Altogether, the number of those abducted is up to 20, if not more. They also set several houses on fire, especially houses belonging to residents that are perceived to be rich.”
He lamented that the community had goten information hours before the incident, that there was an imminent attack to take place on Tuesday night by terrorists.
“We informed security operatives that there would be an attack and they assured us they would be here. Unfortunately, they didn’t show up for the length of time the terrorists operated,” he said.
“We have been having incessant attacks for some time now, and the attacks became more often after an incident that led to the killing of a man suspected to also be a terrorist in the area.
“The last time the community was attacked, they killed the village head, abducted several people, set several houses on fire, and cut off the hand and leg of one of the residents.
“He was amongst the women and girls who were abducted. We pray that they would be rescued or released by the terrorists unharmed.
“Government and security agents need to help us as the community is living in fear, and several of the residents have fled the area in case there is another attack.”
As at time of report, spokesperson for the police command in the state, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, did not immediately respond to an inquiry made on the incident.
