Unrest as bandits kidnap 30 children in Katsina community

At least thirty children have been kidnapped by suspected bandits in Kasai village, Batsari Local Government Area, Katsina State.
Batsari, also known as a Security Frontline Local Government Area, has recently seen an increase in bandits and criminal activity.
The event happened in the early hours of Monday and has yet to get an official response from government officials or security services. Details are limited, with no official confirmation or remark on the subject.
However, according to a resident who talked with Channels Television, the kidnapping occurred while the youngsters went beyond Kasai village to fetch firewood for cooking.
“Yes, the attack occurred yesterday, Monday, in the morning hours. It all began when the children numbering up to thirty went behind the Kasai village to secure firewood which their parents would use to cook food for them.
“Unfortunately, some suspected bandits intercepted them and took them to an unknown destination. We do hope and pray that peace and security will be restored in our state”, he said.
Meanwhile, a few days back, the Nigerian Army announced that its troops had executed Maikusa, a notorious terrorist leader who is believed to be the second-in-command of the terrorist cell in Katsina state, which is led by the infamous terrorist known as Modi Modi.
Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that the army killed Maikusa and three other terrorists in a shootout on Monday during a counter-insurgency operation in Katsina State’s Kurfi and Safana Local Government Areas.
According to Nwachukwu, the violent operation successfully cleared terrorist sanctuaries in the districts.
“During the operation, troops encountered vehement resistance from the violent extremists, but gallantly overpowered the terrorists with superior firepower neutralizing some while others fled in disarray.
“After the firefight, the troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, three magazines, 65 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition, a locally fabricated gun and camouflage uniform.
“In continuation of the clearance operations, troops also destroyed terrorists’ camps in Wurma, Shaiskawa, Yauni, and Dogon Marke villages in Kurfi Local Government Area, as well as Ummadau and Zakka villages in Safana Local Government Area.
“The troops have continued to maintain an aggressive posture in the general area to clear remnants of the terrorist cell to ensure safety and security in the region,” the army spokesperson said.