April 2020 Katsina attacks

On 18 April 2020, gangs killed 47 people in villages in Katsina State, northern Nigeria.[1] Hundreds of people have been killed during the last year in northwestern Nigeria by gangs and bandits who carry out robberies, kidnappings, murders, and cattle rustling.[1] Similar attacks had happened in Katsina State in February 2020.[2]

April 2020 Katsina attacks
LocationKatsina State, Nigeria
Date18 April 2020
Attack type
Shooting
Deaths47
PerpetratorsUnknown

Incident

The attackers, some armed with AK-47s, carried out the simultaneous mass murders in Danmusa, Dutsemna and Safana between 12:30am and 3am.[1] About 300 armed men were involved in attacking the villages and demanding the food and other relief materials given as part of the government's efforts to help during the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.[3]

Response

Members of the Police, Army, Air Force, Civil Defense and the Department of State Services were sent to the area.[3] Minister of Public Affairs Mohammed Dingyadi released a statement through his Press Secretary Osaigbovo Ehisienmen to express his condolences to the government, the people of the state and the families impacted, he also said that the perpetrators would be found and dealt with.[4] President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the attack and directed security agencies not to rest or lower their guard which he believed would create a vacuum to allow for the continued movement of the bandits.[5]

The President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria, Dr. Ona Ekhomu stated that the blame for the attacks should be placed on the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Police Command and the Military Commander in the state, due to security lapses.[6]

References
  1. "'Armed bandits' kill 47 in northwest Nigeria's Katsina state -police". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
  2. "17 bandits, others killed in fresh Katsina attacks". The Guardian Nigeria News. 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
  3. "Armed bandits kill at least 47 in Nigeria's Katsina state: Police". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
  4. "'Perpetrators of Katsina attacks won't go unpunished'". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 2020-04-21. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
  5. "Buhari condemns killing of 47 persons by bandits in Katsina | Encomium Magazine". 19 April 2020. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
  6. "Hold CP Katsina, Military Commander responsible for death of 47 persons – Ekhomu". Vanguard News. 2020-04-20. Retrieved 2020-04-22.


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