In a harrowing incident in Mairuwa village, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, a politician known as Alhaji Lado was murdered by bandits during Ramadan prayers at the local mosque. The attack, which occurred on Saturday night, also led to the abduction of Lado’s wife and two daughters, intensifying the atmosphere of fear in a state already besieged by banditry.
The circumstances of the attack remain largely unclear, but reports indicate that Alhaji Lado was targeted for refusing to comply with the demands of his assailants. Survivors of the mosque attack conveyed the chilling details, including the kidnapping of Lado’s immediate family members, signaling a brazen disregard for the sanctity of religious observance and human life.
An eyewitness, recounting the violence of the night, highlighted the loss within the community, noting that among the victims was a health worker named Sani, who served at the Mairuwa Health Facility. The incident underscores the precarious security situation in Katsina, a state that has witnessed relentless attacks and kidnappings by bandit groups.
Efforts by authorities to curb the menace of banditry in Katsina have thus far failed to achieve lasting peace, with many communities living in constant fear of violence. The state police command has yet to issue a statement on this latest act of violence that marred the holy month of Ramadan, leaving a community in mourning and a family in anguish over the loss and abduction of their loved ones.
This incident is a grim reminder of the ongoing challenges facing security forces in Nigeria’s northern states, where banditry has become a rampant issue, affecting the lives of countless individuals and families.
