A police officer has reportedly been killed and two civilians injured after armed bandits launched coordinated attacks on two communities in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State on Sunday.
The injured victims were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, while the attackers were said to have destroyed property worth millions of naira during the daylight assault.
According to sources, the gunmen first invaded Sayaya town, where they set the community hospital on fire, looted and burnt several shops, and destroyed two vehicles. The attackers also reportedly ambushed a police station, leading to the death of the officer.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the assailants were said to have attacked multiple targets, including a primary healthcare centre and commercial outlets within the town.
Governor Dikko Radda, who later visited the area, condoled with the police command over the loss and extended sympathies to affected families.
In a related incident, the bandits also attacked Dankawari town, where another vehicle was burnt.
While official confirmation from security agencies was still pending at the time of this report, residents identified the slain officer as Suleiman Bishir, describing him as a dedicated and respected figure in the community.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Lawal Tukur Batagarawa, expressed sympathy with the affected communities and claimed that three policemen were killed in the attacks. He described the incident as part of the worsening insecurity affecting several northern states and called on both federal and state governments to take decisive action to protect lives and property.