Bandits allegedly killed five people in two voting stations in Kankara LGA, Katsina State, where a rerun election is planned for today.
During the late-night attack on Friday, the perpetrators arrived on more than 50 motorcycles and robbed over 100 bags of guinea corn, cowpea, and soybeans from the Ungwar Kela hamlet.
According to a local source, the crooks deliberately assigned some members to guard the area while others moved the stolen produce on motorcycles throughout the night. Phone calls to the Katsina Police Command spokesperson were unanswered, and attempts to contact the local government chairman, Alhaji Anas Isah, failed.
As a result, the rerun election, which was scheduled for 20 polling units in Kankara and Sabuwa LGAs, raised security worries. Mr Shehu Sa’idu, the INEC Head of Voter Education and Publicity, stated that the poll will include four units in Dauduwa, Faskari, and 16 in the Garagi ward of Kankara LGA.
Danmusa LGA experienced a similar event between Wednesday and Friday, with villages reporting continual raids and the hoodlums taking over 300 sacks of grain.
A local source told Platinum Times:
“Residents, facing adversity, have decided to evacuate to the local government headquarters, particularly those with items vulnerable to theft.”
Lamenting their frustration, the source said further that “despite attempts to contact security agents, the challenging road conditions always hindered their response.”
Residents in the affected communities appealed to the state government for assistance in providing a robust security team to safeguard them from the recurring threats, even as they expressed their desire to return to their community.