Gunmen stormed the residence of Salisu Ango, the liaison officer to Governor Umar Dikko Radda, in Gyaza village, Kankia Local Government Area, Katsina State, on Friday, August 16, 2024. In a brutal attack, the assailants shot and killed Ango and his first wife, while abducting his second wife.
Ango, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Kankia Chapter, was targeted by the bandits who invaded his home in the late hours.
This tragic incident is part of a disturbing wave of violence in the region.
In a separate incident on Saturday night, bandits raided Tashar Gamji community, also in Kankia LGA, stealing an unspecified number of domestic animals, food items, and other valuables.
Residents described the attack as methodical, with the armed criminals moving from house to house.
Meanwhile, Shirgi community in Batsari Local Government Area faced a similar fate. On Sunday night, gunmen killed one person, injured another, and abducted 28 others.
The attackers, who targeted women and children, also rustled several domestic animals. Among those killed was a man identified as Amadu Suru, who was shot while trying to protect his livestock.
The Katsina State Police Command has confirmed the attack in Kankia but is yet to release details about the Shirgi incident. The command stated that an official report from the Divisional Police Officer in Batsari is awaited before a comprehensive statement can be made.
While Kankia has historically been less affected by banditry, its proximity to more volatile areas like Dutsinma and Danmusa has left it increasingly vulnerable.
The killing of Salisu Ango, a key aide to the governor, underscores the growing threat of banditry in the region, raising concerns about the safety of residents and the need for heightened security measures.