President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the latest round of attacks on farmers by bandits in Damkal and Tsanwa villages in Batsari local government area of Katsina state, saying that killing people in the name of revenge is not acceptable.
Suspected bandits on Friday evening killed no fewer than thirty people in Tsauwa and Damkal villages in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
At Tsauwa where twenty-one people were killed, where majority of the victims in the village were old people and children.
The bandits burnt down houses, animals, and foodstuffs. The District Head of Batsari who is also Sarki Ruma, Alhaji Tukur Muaazu, described the incident as horrible.
Reacting, the President on Sunday warned that “no one in the country has a right to take laws into his hands by the way of self-help or revenge. Local communities that catch bandits should hand over the suspects to law enforcement authorities instead of meting out capital punishment, leading to a cycle of revenge and counter revenge.”
He urged community leaders and the local authorities to continue their efforts in partnership with law enforcement agencies that bring the surrender of bandits, leading to peace between farmers and herders.
“The authorities must be allowed to investigate and deal with any breach that occurs. There is no place for violence in a decent society,” said the President.
President Buhari prayed that God will comfort families that have lost loved ones in the attacks and repose the souls of the victims.
Said the district head, “I have never seen this type of destruction in my life. The bandits arrived here qabout 7 pm on Friday when residents were about observing Magrib. Some were also preparing to sleep. The bandits laid siege to the village, killing and destroying anything they sighted.
“I appeal to Governor Aminu Masari to come to the aid of the victims. I will also plead that security in the community should be strengthened. ”
The Katsina State Police Commissioner, Sanusi Buba, confirmed that 30 persons were killed after a visit to the communities.
His words,“I still find it surprising that whatever could have been the motive, these people could still carry out these dastardly acts. We are, however, after them.”
“Twenty-one people were killed in Tsauwa while nine were killed in Dankar.”