Bandits Abduct Women, Children in Katsina, Impose N10m Levy on Farmers

No fewer than 15 persons, including women, children and infants, have been abducted by bandits following a late-night attack on Sabon Layi community in Kakumi Ward, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.

A source in the community said the incident occurred around 9:45pm last Thursday when armed assailants stormed the area, targeting households linked to a resident identified as Aliyu and his younger brother.

According to another source, the attackers executed the operation with calculated precision, dividing themselves into two groups.

One group reportedly staged a cattle rustling incident involving two cows to distract residents, while the second group infiltrated the community and carried out the abductions.

The gunmen were said to have escaped in separate directions without firing any shots, apparently to avoid attracting attention.

Residents only realised the scale of the attack after discovering both the missing cattle and abducted persons.

The attackers reportedly fled through Mununu village in neighbouring Faskari Local Government Area, a route commonly used by criminal elements operating within the region.

Local security volunteers, including members of the Community Watch Corps and vigilante groups, were said to have mobilised in response.

However, rescue efforts proved unsuccessful as the assailants had already retreated beyond reach.

Among those abducted are several minors, including infants.

Sources also alleged that the attack may be linked to a notorious bandit leader, Kwashen Garwa, who was reportedly part of a peace agreement reached months earlier.

Communities had experienced relative calm following the deal until the latest incident.

In a related development, bandits have reportedly imposed a N10 million levy on several farming communities across Faskari and Bakori local government areas. The levy is said to be a condition for residents to access their farmlands during the wet season without interference.

A source from one of the affected communities disclosed that the bandits warned farmers against clearing or cultivating their land unless the payment is made.

Some communities are said to have begun consultations and exploring ways to meet the demand in order to carry out farming activities this year.

Affected communities include Yanshuni, Unguwar Lamido, Zamfarawa, Unguwar Dan Malka, Doma, Ruwan Godiya, Gidan Kare, and Unguwar Wawo.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed concern over the worsening security situation and appealed to the Katsina State Government for urgent intervention.

“We don’t go to them; they come to us. Now they have placed a levy that we don’t even know how to pay. Government should please come to our aid. What we need is a permanent solution, not a temporary one,” the source said.

Efforts to reach the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, were unsuccessful as calls to his phone line were not answered.

As of the time of filing this report, security authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incidents.