Attacks on several villages in three local government areas of Faskari, Sabuwa and Dandume in Katsina State have led to the death of many people, Daily Trust gathered.
So far, the locals have counted 45 dead bodies with majority of death recorded in Kadisau village of Faskari Local Government Area.
Katsina has been under constant attacks from bandits for some years.
The state government had tried to dialogue with the criminals but that approach was not fruitful.
Hence, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered a military operation to eliminate the criminals in Katsina and all the affected states in the North west and North central regions of the country.
Locals say the bandits on motorcycle arrived Kadisau village at about 5pm on Tuesday and opened fire on spectators during a local football game and killing scores as a result.
While many people were running to safety, a number of them died from stampede.
Several others were injured as well, sources told Daily Trust.
Later, the bandits proceeded into the town and started shooting sporadically.
According to a source: “They spent three hours on the killing spree because they didn’t leave until after 8pm.
“They (bandits) were more than 150 on motorcycles,” the source said.
“At Kadisau alone, we counted 29 corpses so far and we are set for their burial this morning before news got to us that the bandits were seen at a neighbouring village which made us to abandon the processes.
“The military are here now with us providing us cover to bury the dead,” he added.
A breakdown by the locals showed that in Kadisau, 29 were killed while nine lost their lives in Hayin Kabalawa faskari.
At Dandume Local Government Area, six were killed in Garke village, five in Makera and two in Kwakwere.
Two were also killed in Mai Ganguna village of Sabuwa Local Government Area.
The police in the state are yet to response to enquiries.
