Suspected bandits, on Monday, killed no fewer than 15 farmers at Yar Gamji village in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
According to residents, the farmers were working on their farmland when the bandits attacked about 10am and killed them.
The bandits were said to have stormed the farmland in large numbers on motorcycles to carry out the attack, which lasted for about one hour.
The residents were said to have sent distress calls to security operatives, who subsequently mobilised to repel the attackers, who retreated to the forest after a shootout with the security agents.
Residents later retrieved the corpses of the farmers killed.
Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Gambo Isah, confirmed the incident.
The PPRO said, “It’s true, fifteen persons were killed in the attack. The bandits numbering over 200 came on motorcycles armed with AK 47 rifles pursuing them (the farmers) even to the forest, shooting and killing them.
“A mop up after revealed the 15 corpses. At present, our people are on ground and I am expecting a detailed report on their confrontation with the bandits.”
Bandits had on Friday morning and Saturday night, struck in Batsari and Matazu Local Government Areas, killing two persons and abducting six others, including the All Progressives Congress Chairman for Matazu Local Government Area of the state, Alhaji Yushau Dissi.