Due to fear of impending attacks by bandits, some residents of communities in Kankara Local Government in Katsina State are fleeing to unknown destinations, FIJ has learned.

Kankara is one of the eight local government areas near the Rugu forest, which is a hideout for bandits. It has been a hot spot for bandits’ attacks in recent times, with properties destroyed and many people killed and injured.

“…My confidant that resides there called me yesterday night and told me about the mass exodus,” Malam Salihu Bamle told FIJ.

Last December, on the day President Buhari arrived Katsina for a week-long private visit, over 300 students of the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara were abducted by Boko Haram; they were released days later.

Bandits armed with AK 47 assault rifles stormed Gurbi village in Kankara LGA, killing four people and rustling a large number of domestic animals, according to a police statement on the attack that began shortly after midnight, in February.

Last week, about 30 bandits were killed when residents of Majifa village in Kankara laid ambush for them.  

When contacted by FIJ, the Police Public Relations Officer in Katsina State, Gambo Isah, denied the report that residents were fleeing Kankara. He disclosed a few successful operations by the police where some bandits were killed, weapons and rustled animals were recovered.

“It is not true; I just spoke with the DPO. In fact, Kankara is one of the places where the bandits are not finding it easy to attack. We have formidable forces there; a combination of police, military, vigilante and even communities are not sleeping. When they try to attack Kankara, they face stiff resistance from the communities,” Isah said.