Katsina: Bandits Strike Again, Abduct 30 Children

Notorious bandits have struck again in Katsina state, this time, kidnapping no fewer than 30 children after attacking Kasai village in the Batsari Local Government Area of the state.

The incident happened in the wee hours of Monday, according to those privy to the attack by the bandits on the community.

The state ranks as among the epicenters of banditry in the country, second to neighbouring Kaduna state which have witnessed a wave of kidnapping in recent times.

Two weeks ago, 137 students of the Government Secondary School, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state kidnapped by bandits were rescued by security agencies.

Speaking of the latest abduction in katsina state, sources said the children were seized by the criminals when they went to fetch firewood for their parents early yesterday.

One of the sources said, “The children, numbering up to thirty, went behind the Kasai village to secure firewood, which their parents would use to cook food for them.

“Unfortunately, some suspected bandits intercepted them and took them to an unknown destination.

“We do hope and pray that peace and security will be restored in our state.”

Meanwhile, experts told the magazine that children have become the prime target of bandits because the criminals know the backlash that usually greet the abduction of minors across the world.

“The United Nation’s does not take the abduction of children lightly. That’s why the government will do everything to ensure that they are rescued whether through kinetic or non-kinetic method.