“We Found over 50 Bodies, We’re Still Searching for More,” Survivors of Katsina Mosque Attack Speak
- At least 50 bodies have been recovered after bandits carried out a deadly attack on worshippers at a mosque in Katsina state
- Survivors who revealed that they are combing the bushes searching for more of their loved ones, recounted that the government officials' response came a bit late
- In a trending interview on Thursday, August 21, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, described the latest attack in Katsina state as "disturbing"
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Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
Survivors of Tuesday’s deadly attack by bandits on Gidan Mantau community in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina state have narrated their ordeal, saying that after recovering over 50 bodies, they are still searching for more people in the bushes.
Source: Getty Images
Mosque attack: Death toll rises to 50
They, therefore, called on both the federal and Katsina state government to intervene to save them from further assaults.
Legit.ng reported that at worshippers were killed when bandits attacked a mosque in Unguwan Mantau, Katsina state, during early morning prayers.
Authorities described the assault as a reprisal after residents earlier ambushed the attackers, killed some of them, and rescued abducted victims.
The state government deployed security forces, assured residents of protection, and pledged justice for the victims and their families.
Source: Getty Images
However, on Friday, August 22, Daily Trust reported that that for nearly three days, only skeletal information on the level of carnage was coming from the hard-to-reach Gidan Mantau, which had been infested by bandits and therefore inaccessible for government officials and rescue workers.
It was gathered that the people of the village and surrounding communities, were reportedly under siege.
The medium reported that the road leading to the community was completely deserted as there were no security operatives on sight to repel further attack.
It took hours for help to arrive - Survivors
Survivors disclosed that it took several hours before officials of the Katsina state government visited the area, and that they stopped by the main road to address the distraught locals and community leaders.
Also, many families who did not see their loved ones among the dead are now combing the bushes with the support of acquaintances.
They said the death toll has climbed to 55, well above the 34 officially confirmed by authorities.
This came as the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on Thursday, August 21, expressed concern over renewed violence in Katsina and other parts of the North West.
General Musa said the military has intensified operations nationwide, but admitted that killings in the region, including the recent massacre of worshippers in Malumfashi, remain disturbing.
“Terrorists using gold to fund operations” - CDS Musa
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has exposed the operations of terrorists in Nigeria.
In a trending interview on on Politics Today on Channels Television, CDS Musa explained how terrorists are increasingly using gold to finance their operations in Nigeria in collaboration with international communities.
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- "How they killed 23 worshipers": Survivors speak out after deadly bandits attack in Katsina mosque
- Bandits kill over 35 in Zamfara
Bandits attack Sokoto mosque
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that armed bandits stormed a mosque in Marnona village, Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State during early morning prayers on Tuesday.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers opened fire on worshippers, killing one person and injuring several others.
Source: Legit.ng
