DAURA — Terrorists who have been terrorizing people in Katsina state and environs for a long, yesterday attacked an advanced team of President Muhammadu Buhari to Katsina State ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
The incident happened ahead of President Buhari’s expected visit to Daura, his hometown, tomorrow, for the Sallah celebration on Saturday.
The convoy of cars carrying the advance team of security guards, protocol, and media officers of the State House was yesterday evening attacked in Dutsinma, Katsina State.
The attack on the presidential team took place a few hours after an Assistant Commissioner of Police was killed in a separate attack around the same Dutsinma general area.
It was reported that two persons were reportedly injured in the attack described by the presidency as an ambush.
Garba Shehu, a presidential spokesperson who confirmed the attack on the presidential convoy, said two persons were injured.
In a statement titled, ‘gallant presidential guards repel an attack on an advance team of president’s visit’, the presidency described the attack as sad.
“The presidency has described as sad and unwelcome, the shooting incident near Dutsinma, Katsina State, at the convoy of cars carrying the advance team of security guards, protocol, and media officers ahead of President, Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to Daura for Sallah.
“The attackers opened fire on the convoy from ambush positions but were repelled by the military, police, and DSS personnel accompanying the convoy.
“Two persons in the convoy are receiving treatment for the minor injuries they suffered. All the other personnel, staff, and vehicles made it safely to Daura,” he said.
An eyewitness, who was nearly caught in the middle of the clash, said they were on their way back to Dutsinma from Kankara when they saw hundreds of fully armed fighters crossing the road on motorcycles and they had to run for their safety.
He said the attackers engaged the security operatives attached to the presidential convoy in a fierce battle.
“We were travelling when we saw bandits crossing on motorcycles. We ran to Turare village and suddenly we sighted a long military convoy that came under the bandits’ attack.
“After a gun duel, the military operatives cleared the road and that was how they were able to reach Dutsinma,” the eyewitness said.
Another source in Turare village who pleaded for anonymity said after the soldiers cleared the road and moved on, the bandits regrouped and attacked some villages in Makera ward of Dutsinma LGA as well as some villages west of Zobe Dam where they carted many cows.
“They went to Makera, Kurechi, Dogon ruwa, Tashan mangwaro and other villages where they rustled cows. As we speak, some residents of these villages have relocated to Turare for fear of another attack,” he said.
Before the attack on the president’s convoy, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Aminu Umar, and one other officer were killed in a clash with bandits.
Daily Trust gathered that the clash took place at a village called Yauni in Zakka district, Safana LGA.
“Our vigilantes here told us that there will be a combined team of police and vigilantes from Kurfi heading to Yauni village to face bandits.
“Later we heard that there was a fatal clash and some police officers and some vigilantes were shot by the bandits, including two from Zakka here.
“However, about seven military vehicles have provided reinforcement and we later saw some police vehicles carrying some bodies that I could not identify because I was not close to them,” a resident told Daily Trust.
Police spokesperson in the state, SP Gambo Isah, in a statement yesterday, said Umar and his team were ambushed by the bandits while on a clearance operation in Zakka forest.
“Today July 5, 2022, at about 1130hrs, a distress call was received that terrorists numbering over 300, on motorcycles, shooting sporadically with AK 47 rifles and General-Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), ambushed ACP Aminu Umar, Area Commander, Dutsinma and his team, while on clearance operation of recalcitrant bandits/terrorists, in Zakka forest, Safana LGA of Katsina State.
“Consequently, the Area Commander and one other gallantly lost their lives during a cross-exchange of gunfire,” he said.
Credible sources told the Daily Trust last night that the fighters were loyal to a bandits’ kingpin, Dankarami.
One of the sources said they blocked the Kankara-Dutsin- Ma- Katsina Road in broad daylight for many hours.
“They operated freely, attacking and abducting people,” he said.
“They also attacked Isa Kaita College of Education and the Low-Cost Housing Estate, forcing residents to flee,” he said.
It was learnt that the bandits were also celebrating and taunting the people that they had killed “the god of Dutsinma”.
It was learnt that the slain police officer was highly respected in Dutsinma and environs because of his bravery.
“He had led many operations that led to the killings and arrest of hundreds of bandits in the area. For now, the people are living in fear and are calling for more personnel to be deployed to avert imminent attacks,” he said.
- Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri Quits From PDP - October 16, 2025
- Students Give ASUU, Federal Government 7 Days To Resolve Ongoing Disputes - October 16, 2025
- Yobe Retirees To Receive N5.8bn In Outstanding Gratuity - October 16, 2025