"Surrender your weapons or face violent ends" - Buhari to bandits

President Muhammadu Buhari has given bandits an ultimatum to either lay down their weapons or face very disgraceful and violent ends.

In a statement made by Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, the President issued the warning over the weekend.

Buhari said more decisive military operations against bandits in Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, Katsina and Kaduna States will be undertaken.

In the statement, the president also commiserated with Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State over the loss of lives and properties in the state as a result of bandits activities.

The statement reads, 

“President Muhammadu Buhari has assured people and government of Katsina State of renewed efforts, and review of operations, to improve the security of lives and property in the state, and other parts of the country.

The President, in a meeting with Governor Aminu Bello Masari, at the State House on Thursday night, said bandits, who have committed crimes against innocent citizens in the state, and across the country, will not be spared.

President Buhari commiserated with Gov Masari over the loss of lives from attacks by bandits, which include District Head of Yantumaki, Alhaji Atiku Maidabino, and APC Chairman in Batsari Local Government Council, Alhaji Abdulhamid Sani Duburawa”.

Bandits kill 15 people in fresh Katsina attacks

Fifteen people were reportedly killed in Faskari and Sabuwa local government areas of Katsina State in a deadly attack by bandits who stormed communities in the two councils on Thursday.

The bandits were said to have attacked Unguwar Gizo, Maigora, Mai Ruwa, and Sabon Layin Galadima in Faskari  Local government as well as Machika town in Sabuwa Local Government Area.

Eyewitnesses said the bandits stormed the communities at about midnight on Thursday and carried out the attacks till early Friday.

It was learnt that residents of the communities attempted to repel the attacks which actually led to the fatalities. Fifteen people were reportedly killed in the attack while an unspecified number of cattle were also said to have been rustled.

The spokesman for the Katsina police command, SP Gambo Isah, while commenting on the incident put the figures of those killed at thirteen. He said, 

“Yes it is true; 13 people were killed. We keep telling people especially those at the front-line to avoid confrontation with these bandits because they are armed with AK guns and you can’t fight then with dane guns and machetes.

They came to rustle animals and the villagers confronted them which made the bandits to attacked.”

We learnt that a joint security operation is ongoing in the state to nip the problems of banditry and kidnappings in the bud.