Bandits attacked the Tsiga community in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State in the early hours of Thursday, kidnapping several residents, including Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (rtd), the former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The attack occurred around 12:30 am when armed assailants, heavily armed with sophisticated weapons, invaded the community, sparking panic and chaos among the residents.
Sources close to the development revealed that the abduction took place on Wednesday night after the bandits raided the residence of the former NYSC DG.
A resident of the area confirmed the incident to reporters, saying, “The abduction occurred on Wednesday after the hoodlums armed with sophisticated weapons invaded the residence of the former NYSC Director General.”
During the attack, which lasted a few minutes, two residents were wounded. One of the bandits also met his end after being mistakenly shot by his colleagues, an eyewitness reported.
The attackers then made their escape with their captives, and the community was left in a state of shock.
At the time of the report, authorities had been alerted to the situation, and security forces were actively working to secure the release of the hostages. However, the full details about the other victims of the attack remained unclear, with the situation continuing to unfold.
The Katsina State Government and the police have yet to issue an official statement regarding the latest abduction.
The attack has added to the already dire security situation in the region, as Katsina is one of the many states in Nigeria’s North-Western and North-Central regions plagued by the terror of banditry.
These criminal gangs, who operate out of vast forest areas spanning Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger states, are notorious for their violent raids on villages, mass abductions, and the destruction of properties. In recent years, they have gained infamy for the mass abduction of students from schools.
The latest attack comes amid growing concerns about the increasing frequency of such incidents in the region, leaving residents living in fear. The state and federal authorities are under mounting pressure to address the escalating security crisis.
