Rerun: Bandits kill 5, loot crops in Katsina 

• By Stephen Asaba-ase

Suspected bandits has allegedly killed five residents in two polling units within Kankara LGA, Katsina State, where a rerun election was held today.

The bandits arriving in over 50 motorcycles, also looted over 100 bags of guinea corn, cowpea, and soybeans from the Ungwar Kela community during the late-night attack on Friday.

A community source, said the criminals strategically used some members to guard the area while others transported the stolen produce on motorcycles throughout the night. Phone calls to the Katsina Police Command spokesperson went unanswered, and efforts to reach the local government chairman, Alhaji Anas Isah, were unsuccessful.

However, the rerun election, slated for 20 polling units across Kankara and Sabuwa LGAs, undergone security threats.

The INEC Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Shehu Sa’idu highlighted that the poll includes four units in Dauduwa, Faskari, and 16 in the Garagi ward of Kankara LGA.

Danmusa LGA also experienced a similar incident between Wednesday and Friday when communities reported ongoing attacks, with over 300 bags of grains taken by the hoodlums.

“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.”

Meanwhile, the 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.