Residents Flee As Terrorists Invade Military Camp In Katsina

• Eight terrorists reportedly killed

Francis Sardauna in Katsina 

Gunmen suspected to be terrorists have ransacked a military camp in Nahuta village in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State, forcing residents to flee the area after a fierce gun battle between both parties.

The rampaging suspected terrorists, armed with sophisticated weapons, attacked the joint military camp on Sunday night riding on motorcycles.

Several attempts to confirm the incident from military authorities in Katsina and the state police command were futile as of press time.

But a credible security source, who confirmed the development in a telephone interview with THISDAY, said the hoodlums invaded the military camp in a large number.

He said the soldiers were overwhelmed and abandoned the base, while the terrorists carted off weapons and burnt down two operational vehicles of the Nigerian Army.

He said: “The terrorists, in large numbers, came to the area on motorbikes, wielding dangerous weapons including AK-47, Rocket Propelled Grenades, and RPGs and move straight to the camp where they started shooting sporadically.

“The attack took place at about 11 pm on Sunday. The fierce gun battle lasted for several hours. The soldiers were overpowered by the terrorists who came in large numbers on motorbikes.

“They (terrorists) burnt down two operational vehicles belonging to the military and some properties of the soldiers. They also took away arms and other properties belonging to the military.”

After the gun battle, the source said the terrorists invaded Nahuta town, burgling some shops, breaking into houses, and carting away properties and domestic animals worth millions of naira.

The source, who works in the area, explained that hundreds of residents of the affected village have deserted the area and are now taking refuge in Wagini and Batsari towns.

He said many of those who fled are still missing and parents are still searching for their missing children, adding that the terrorists did not kill nor abduct any of the soldiers or residents.

However, a resident of the community, Adamu Aliyu, told THISDAY that eight terrorists were killed during the fierce gun battle and their corpses were recovered by the military personnel.

“After the gun battle, the military and other security personnel recovered eight dead bodies of the bandits in bushes around Nahuta this (Monday) evening,” he said.