Palpable tension has arisen following reports that hundreds of bandits from Zamfara have moved into locations around Safana and Batsari local government areas of Katsina State.
Villagers said the criminals, led by a notorious bandit, ?an-?arami, were escaping from military onslaught in Zamfara, .
They were said to have moved into Tsaskiya, Runka, Gora, Labbo and other communities in the two local government areas.
Locals said the terrorists have teamed up with another notorious bandit, Usman Mo?i-Mo?i, who has been terrorising residents of the area.
Witnesses revealed that the heavily armed bandits are in large numbers, and are moving with many herds of cattle. According to a source, “About a thousand of them who came on about 300 motorcycles spent Saturday night in Labo village”.
He added that the terrorists were spread in at least five villages on the fringes of Rugu Forest, between Safana and Batsari as well as part of Zamfara State.
The source, however, said what was not clear was whether the bandits were in transit or setting up a new base in the area.
The villagers appealed to the military and Katsina State Government to respond promptly and deny the terrorists any space to operate.
?an-?arami and his gang are known for raiding villages and towns in Zamfara and attacking security personnel.
A community leader told newsmen, on condition of anonymity, that some of the villagers have started relocating to avoid being caught up in the impending disaster.
He urged the military to deploy its land and air assets to decimate the terrorists before they wreck more havoc. He also urged government and security agencies to hasten measures to prevent the terrorists from taking over the area.
When contacted, Special Adviser on Security to Governor Aminu Masari,
Ibrahim Ahmad-Katsina, said only the security forces could comment on the matter. However, the spokesman of the Police Command in the State, CSP Gambo Isah, said that they were investigating the veracity of the information.
