From Agaju Madugba, Katsina
The Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA) community in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State was thrown into mourning yesterday, as terrorists killed a lecturer, Dr. Tiri Gyang, at his residence, in an early morning attack.
Reports said the late Gyang was the Deputy Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, at FUDMA. The hoodlums also abducted two members of his family, along with two other residents of the area.
The Katsina State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement, yesterday afternoon. The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, in a statement, yesterday, said: “Today, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at about 0200hrs, some suspected bandits, armed with dangerous weapons, attacked a compound situated behind comprehensive quarters in Dutsinma Local Government Area, shot and injured one person and kidnapped about 14 occupants of the compound.
“Upon receipt of the report, the DPO, Dutsinma, promptly mobilised and led a team of operatives to the scene, where they engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun duel.
“The team succeeded in foiling the attack and rescued 10 kidnapped victims. The injured victim was immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention, where he was later confirmed dead.
“The Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Abubakar Musa, has detailed a search and rescue team to the nearby bushes to ensure the unhurt rescue of the kidnapped victims and the arrest of the perpetrators of the dastardly act. Further development will be communicated in due course as the investigation proceeds.”
Dutsinma is one of the 23 out of the 34 Local Government Areas of Katsina designated as frontline locations where terrorists hold sway. The bandits have continued to launch never-ending attacks on rural communities and urban centres, killing and abducting residents for ransom.
Last week, the North-West Governors’ Forum held a two-day security summit, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, in Katsina, as part of measures towards addressing the persistent and bloody campaigns by terrorists in the zone.