Lawmaker Condemns Killingof 14 Kinsmen by Katsina Bandits, Condoles with Families

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The lawmaker representing the Musawa-Matazu federal constituency in Katsina, Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, has condemned the killing of 14 people by bandits at Rugan Kusa community in Musawa LGA.

The bandits killed 14 Maulud celebrants, wounding 19 others after the bandits attacked the fest venue in the Rugan Kusa community on Sunday night.

The bandits stormed the Maulud celebration venue at about 10:00 p.m. when the victims from Yar Ungwa and Gidan Malamai communities in the Matazu council area assembled at the Rugan Kusa for the fest.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those murdered,” the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker said while sympathising with the communities on Monday.

Mr Ahmed noted that most of the deceased were children, revealing that the bandits kidnapped 20 villagers.

“Thirteen people died on the spot and another child died this afternoon (Monday) at the Federal Teaching Hospital (Katsina), 19 people injured and more than 20 missing. And one person later died in the hospital here,” stated Mr Ahmed.

The federal lawmaker raised the alarm over the rising spate of killings and kidnappings by the bandits in communities in Musawa and Matazu local government areas.

Mr Ahmed said the situation has negatively impacted the livelihoods of inhabitants and subjected them to hardship, as they can no longer go to farms and perform other day-to-day commercial activities.

Describing the recent attack as horrendous, the federal lawmaker said the security situation of the constituency remained precarious despite security agencies and the government’s efforts to address the challenges.

Mr Ahmed urged the Katsina government and security agencies to rekindle their efforts and adopt revolving security strategies to arrest the bandits.

The legislator, who visited the teaching hospital where the injured victims are receiving treatment, donated some cash to them to clear some of their hospital bills.