Updates: Gunmen Attack in Katsina State, 103 Persons Feared Killed in Multiple Attacks

Gunmen, believed to be cattle rustlers, have attacked villages in Katsina State killing about 103 people in the multiple attacks on many of the communities in Faskari Local Government Area of Kastina statte, residents said.

Over 100 armed men on motorcycles on Tuesday and Wednesday evening invaded Kurar Mota, Marabar Maigora, Sabon Layin Galadima, Unguwar Doka, and Maigora, all in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

One of the witnesses who narrowly escaped and later returned to his village confirms on Thursday morning that he attended the burial of 27 people in his hometown, Maigora. 

He said he later attended the burial of another 21 people at Sabon Layin Galadima; while 40 people were killed at Marabar Maigora; 7 in Kurar Mota and 8 in Unguwar Doka.Many of the victims, among them women and children, are believed to have been set ablaze inside their houses. 

The witness, who did not want to be named for security reasons, said they believed the attackers were cattle rustlers on a reprisal mission as many of them had been arrested and handed over to the police in recent times.

Confirming the Killing,  the BBC Hausa Service quotes a federal lawmaker from the area, Abbas Machika, as saying 67 people were killed in the attack.

The Nigeria Police Force has  not make any statement to confirm the extent of killings and damages and put the figure straight.