Gunmen have carried out fresh attacks in parts of Katsina State at a time when the state government is preparing to release some detained suspects as part of a peace agreement between the two sides.
On Sunday night, the gunmen attacked a convoy of wedding guests, killing at least two people and abducting 17 others, including the bride, in Unguwar Nagunda area of Kankara Local Government Area.
Eight of those abducted later managed to escape and returned to their families on Monday.
In a related development, the attackers also killed a man in Kafa village along the Kankara–Sheme highway, also in Kankara Local Government Area.
These attacks came just a day after the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Muazu explained the government’s reasons for planning to release 70 detainees who are being held over terrorism related offences in the state.
This development is coming from the same state government that has repeatedly stated, on several occasions, that it would not in any way negotiate with bandits.
Mustapha Muhammad Gimba
