Bandits Impose Levy on Gold Site Operators in Katsina, Kill 2 People
- The operation of bandits in Katsina state has taken a new leaving residents exposed to harsh conditions for survival
- Bandits operating in the state have slammed an N10,000 levy on gold site operators in the Jibia local government area of Katsina state
- The bandits also invaded a gold processing site where they killed two people, injured five of the operators and abducted 11 others
Two people have been killed in a gold processing site in the Jibia local government area of Katsina state by some bandits who invaded the site.
The Punch reports that the deceased were operators who worked at the gold site in Bakin Korama community, Magama Jibia border town of the council of the state.
The bandits were said to have also levied the operators at the gold processing site a fee of N10,000 to allow them to have an uninterrupted activity at the site where about 70 small-scale gold processing centres are located.
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It was gathered that the gold processing centres were said to have been opened about two weeks ago.
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Leadership reports that the bandits attacked the site at about 8 pm on Thursday, January 7, to carry out an operation that lasted for 2 hours, killing two operators and leaving five others injured.
Also, 11 workers were abducted from the processing site by the bandits during the attack.
Confirming the incident, the chairman of Katsina Minerals Processors, Tasi’u Abdullahi, said one of the abducted operators was later released by the bandits.
Abdullahi added that the bandits had also handed the released abductee a letter conveying the imposition of the levy to the operators.
He said:
“I later received a report from a nearby village head that one of the kidnapped victims was eventually sent by the bandits with a handwritten letter saying that the attack launched by the hoodlums was just the beginning.
"They are, however, seeking our cooperation by always ensuring that we follow their policy. The policy is that the processing centres should be raising a contribution of N10,000."
I Don’t Even Have What to Eat: Katsina Man Says as He Removes House Roof to Pay Son’s N100,000 Ransom
An elderly Katsina farmer, Saidu Faskari, resorted to removing and selling his house’s roofing sheet to raise the ransom being demanded his son's release by bandits.
Faskari himself was first kidnapped by the bandits and his children raised N50,000 to secure his release.
However, his eldest son who went to deliver the ransom was held while the bandits demanded N100,000 for his release.
Buy Guns, Defend Yourselves, Governor Masari Tells Katsina Residents
Residents of Katsina have been asked to defend themselves against bandits by the state governor, Aminu Masari.
According to Governor Masari, during a media parley, security officials alone cannot tackle insecurity in the state.
Masari said the state government would help those who plan to own arms with the view to help bring an end to banditry.
Source: Legit.ng
