By Peter oga

No fewer than 16 persons are feared dead and several others reportedly missing following an attack by suspected bandits on Kiliya village in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The attack reportedly occurred on Friday afternoon shortly after Juma’at prayers, when residents had gathered as part of Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. Authorities have yet to officially confirm the casualty figures.

At least 16 people are feared dead after suspected bandits reportedly attacked Kiliya village in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State on Friday afternoon.

According to reports, residents had concluded Juma’at prayers and were gathered for Eid-el-Kabir festivities when armed men riding motorcycles allegedly stormed the community and opened fire.

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said he was among villagers relaxing after prayers when the attackers arrived, causing panic among residents.

“After the Friday prayers, we were sitting together when I called a boy selling local drinks and bought a bowl from him. Suddenly, the bandits arrived. The boy and I ran into a house and hid. While inside, we heard screams and gunshots everywhere.
When the shooting eventually stopped and we came out, we found about 16 lifeless bodies, including some of my uncles and cousins,” the resident was quoted as saying.

Several residents are also reported missing following the attack, although the exact number could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

According to local sources, some community members believe the attack may have been linked to the reported killing of two suspected bandits by local vigilantes or villagers in recent days. However, there has been no official confirmation of this claim.

A source familiar with the situation reportedly described the incident as a possible reprisal attack, but security authorities have not publicly established any motive for the violence.

The Katsina State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident at the time of this report.

The latest attack adds to ongoing security concerns in parts of Katsina State and other areas of northwestern Nigeria, where communities have continued to face threats from armed criminal groups.