wave of terror has struck Katsina State as terrorists have reportedly abducted 25 individuals, including women and children, and caused injuries to others during separate operations in four local councils. The incidents have left communities in distress and anxiety. In the Batsari Local Council, it was reported that during the evening of Sunday, a group of marauders abducted 20 individuals in the Madogara community, mainly consisting of peasant farmers.
However, sources revealed that one of the abductees managed to escape after a courageous struggle with one of the captors. Regrettably, the escapee sustained injuries from the machetes used by the terrorists.
Disturbingly, family members of the victims have allegedly received ransom demands from the perpetrators, adding to the anguish they are already enduring. Furthermore, within the past few days, three healthcare workers have been abducted. Balarabe Mohammed was taken on August 6 from the Dongon-Dawa Healthcare Facility in Faskari Local Council, while the other two were abducted on August 1 in Dandume Local Council.
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In another distressing incident, a woman known as Fatima, who sells local food called Waina, and her daughter were also taken by the terrorists.
The recent spike in abductions is believed to be attributed to the rainy season when farmers are actively engaged in their fields.
Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has highlighted the escalating insecurity plaguing the North West region, particularly in Katsina State. The IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Laurent De Boeck, revealed during the official launch of the Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation Project that there are over one million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the area.
Katsina has been the most affected state within the region, accounting for 29 percent of the total IDPs. Of the IDPs, women make up 54 percent and children make up 56 percent.
To address the dire situation, the IOM, in collaboration with Mercy Corps and the Centre Democracy and Development, with support from the European Union (EU), is partnering with the state government to promote community reconciliation processes in Katsina.
