Terror Grips Malumfashi LGA: Local Government Official Killed, Former Councilor Abducted in Nightlong Rampage

Strategic Insights -

Residents of Malumfashi Local Government Area (LGA) in Katsina State have been living in fear as armed gangs have taken over the communities, leaving a trail of terror and destruction in their wake. On Thursday evening, a local government official, Aminu "Over-Over", was shot dead at his farm, while a former councilor, Nasiru Dayi, was abducted from his home in Dayi town. The attacks began in the late afternoon and continued into the night, with residents describing the incident as "terrible" and "hours-long". The gang, known locally as "Solar", has become so brazen that it operates in daylight, earning it the nickname "bandits". The recent surge in attacks has left residents in a state of heightened fear, with hardly any two days passing without an incident.

Key Takeaways:

  • A local government official, Aminu "Over-Over", was killed by armed gangs at his farm in Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State.
  • A former councilor, Nasiru Dayi, was abducted from his home in Dayi town between 7 and 8 p.m. on Thursday.
  • The attacks began in the late afternoon and continued into the night, with residents describing the incident as "terrible" and "hours-long".
  • The gang, known locally as "Solar", has become so brazen that it operates in daylight, earning it the nickname "bandits".
  • The recent surge in attacks has left residents in a state of heightened fear, with hardly any two days passing without an incident.
  • Residents have described the attacks as "near-daily", with the gang raiding settlements and homes, causing destruction and chaos.
  • The government's security assessment report, tagged "Katsina Security Tracker", categorizes Malumfashi LGA as "Improved", despite the recent attacks.
  • The report claims that over 87 per cent of the state's local government areas are either fully stabilised or improving.
  • The testimonies from residents paint a different picture, revealing a significant gap between the government's narrative and the lived reality of communities still under siege.

Statistics:

  • 87% of Katsina State's local government areas are either fully stabilised or improving (Source: Katsina Security Tracker, Ministry of Internal Security).
  • Malumfashi LGA is categorised as "Improved" in the Katsina Security Tracker, despite recent attacks.
  • Over 60 residents were interviewed by PREMIUM TIMES, all of whom reported experiencing frequent attacks by the gang.
  • 7-8 p.m. is the reported time of the abduction of Nasiru Dayi.
  • 4 p.m. is the reported time of the gang's arrival in the area.
  • 10 minutes is the time it took for gunshots to be heard after a local shopkeeper, Baba Danladi, returned home.

Sources:

  • PREMIUM TIMES
  • Katsina Security Tracker, Ministry of Internal Security