Several persons including women and children, lost their lives while others sustained injuries after bandits opened fire during a procession of Maulud celebrants in the Kusa community in Musawa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The gunmen, in large numbers, attacked the celebrants on Sunday, November 5, 2023.

According to a vigilante member, no fewer than 20 corpses were retrieved from the scene of the attack while the bandits also abducted several worshippers.

17 persons sustained injuries and have been admitted at the Katsina Orthopaedic Hospital and the Musawa General Hospital.

According to a resident, the bandits opened fire on the procession around 11:05 pm on Sunday, during which also many were abducted from the scene.

“The bandits surrounded the venue of the Maulud celebration and fired gunshot at the participant, injuring many and took several captives away,” he said.

He added that before the arrival of security forces, the attackers had fled into their hideouts.

Spokesman of the State Police Command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, who confirmed the incident on Monday, said the bandits attacked, shot and injured 18 people.

“They were evacuated to the hospital for treatment. Later on, two among them died. Further investigation is ongoing for possible arrest and to bring the perpetrators of these acts to justice.” he said.