President Muhammadu Buhari condemns the attack on vigilantes at Yargoje forest in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, where many lives were lost.
The insurgents ambushed a convoy of vigilantes in the forest as they went to recover stolen cows leading to the killings.
The President in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garbe Shehu, paid tribute to all those vigilantes and family members who have been martyred, saying that the sacrifices of the brave men who are working to prevent and punish crime in their communities will not be forgotten.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this difficult period. May Allah repose the soul of the deceased,” said the President.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Government has said it will constitute a panel to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the killings of more than 80 residents of Kankara in the Kankara-Bakori area of the state.
It was gathered that the death toll which was originally put at about 50 had risen to 84.
As at Sunday morning, dead bodies were still being evacuated from the forest in vans for burial.
Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Bello Masari on security matters, Ibrahim Ahmed-Katsina, had disclosed on Friday, while addressing some journalists at his residence in Katsina, adding that the state government would also assist families of the victims.
Police spokesman in Katsina, SP Gambo Isah though confirmed that some operations were ongoing in the affected areas, he was not in the know of the updates.
“As soon as I get the update from our operatives, I will get across to update you, but for the time being, operation is ongoing in the area and we don’t have that update,” he was quoted as saying.
