In a devastating attack on Monday, terrorists kidnapped more than 80 residents of Yar-Malamai village in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State. This assault came less than 24 hours after the attackers killed several soldiers at a nearby military camp.
A local resident reported that the terrorists returned to the village on Monday, looting shops, burning houses and vehicles, and abducting numerous people during a 10-hour rampage. “The bandits attacked the community again, just hours after the soldiers left, looting shops, burning houses and vehicles, and abducting many residents,” he said.
A local official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, stating that the relentless attacks had driven most residents to abandon the town. “At the moment, only six houses are left standing in Yar-Malamai. The bandits kidnapped about 80 people, mostly women, and looted foodstuffs and other valuables. We are devastated and in dire need of food and shelter. We urge the government to assist us in any way possible.”
He added, “After the killing of some soldiers and a vigilante, with others injured, the security operatives abandoned the area. Within a few hours, the bandits returned, burning houses and vehicles, and abducting women. Only six houses remain, and just one vehicle out of eight was not set ablaze.”
As of this report, there has been no official statement from the government or the army regarding the latest incident. However, the military high command on Tuesday confirmed the killing of four soldiers in Faskari LGA on Sunday.
Major-General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, clarified that the military recorded four casualties contrary to media reports of five. He explained that the soldiers, attached to Operation Hadarin Daji, encountered two separate ambushes, resulting in four soldiers killed and five wounded.
Despite these setbacks, Buba asserted that the military remains committed to tackling the terrorists. “During the ambush, troops received support from the air component of OP HADARIN DAJI and reinforcements from FOB YARMALIMAI. The joint effort dealt a severe blow to the terrorists, who suffered heavy casualties,” he said.
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