At least nine local traders were killed on Sunday evening when terrorists attacked motorists returning from the Jibia weekly market in Katsina State.
Several other traders were also wounded by the marauding terrorists who burnt down two Peugeot J5 buses.
While security agents deposited eight bodies evacuated from the scene of the incident on Sunday night, a passenger has been declared missing with residents unsure whether he was abducted or killed as his corpse had not been seen.
Jibia to Batsari, Batsari to Katsina, Jibia to Katsina, and Kankara to Sheme, are some of the roads most vulnerable to attacks in Katsina State which have witnessed terror activities for several years.
“As usual, they left the Jibia market before 6 p.m. because they wanted to reach home before Magrib (sunset) prayer. You know Jibia to Batsari road is always busy on Sunday so, the terrorists must have planned to abduct the traders but the drivers refused to stop,” Muhammad Lawal, a resident of Batsari, said.
The terrorists reportedly opened fire on the vehicles when the drivers refused to stop, killing eight traders instantly while one other died later.
“Several of the traders ran into the bush and walked home afterwards while the terrorists burnt down the two vehicles,” Mr Lawal said.
From Jibia to Batsari, cutting through the dreaded Dumburun forest, is a 42 kilometres journey, PREMIUM TIMES report.
A medical worker at the General Hospital in Batsari stated that security agents deposited eight corpses in the hospital late Sunday evening.
