PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the attack on vigilantes at Yargoje forest in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, where many lives were lost.
The insurgents had ambushed a convoy of vigilantes in the forest as they went to recover stolen cows leading to the killings on Thursday.
The President, according to a release issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Malam Garba Shehu, paid tribute to all those vigilantes and family members who have been killed, saying the sacrifices of the brave men who are working to prevent and punish crime in their communities will not be forgotten.
According to him: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this difficult period. May Allah repose the soul of the deceased.”
This comes amid reports that the death toll has risen to 84 from the 44 initially reported.
News Point Nigeria reported that, information received yesterday indicates that the number of people killed by bandits between the Kankara-Bakori axis in Katsina State has risen to 84.
It was learnt that 26 more dead bodies were recovered on Saturday evening by security operatives and some volunteers after combing the scene of the killings.
An eyewitness said he saw a vehicle at Yargoje junction moving 26 more dead bodies to Bakori communities, but this newspaper could not verify if the corpses were vigilantes, villagers or the bandits’ bodies.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Government has said it will inaugurate a commission of inquiry to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the killings.
The special adviser to Governor Aminu Bello Masari on security matters, Mr Ibrahim Ahmed-Katsina, who disclosed this Friday night while addressing some journalists at his residence in Katsina, said the government would also assist families of the victims.
When contacted, police spokesman in Katsina, SP Gambo Isah said while some operations were ongoing in the affected areas, he was not in the know of the update.
“As soon as I get the update from our operatives, I will get across to update you, but for the time being, operation is ongoing in the area and we don’t have that update,” he said.
