Kano Community in Panic as Hoodlums Launch Third Attack in One Week
Suspected hoodlums have unleashed a wave of terror in Kano state, setting ablaze a vital corn stalks facility used for bread production and looting multiple residences in the Rijiya Biyu area of Dala Local Government. The brazen assault, which occurred late on Tuesday, January 20, has resulted in significant property destruction and forced numerous residents to abandon their homes in fear.
Residents Describe Repeated Invasions and Destructive Violence
Distraught community members have reported that this incident represents the third such attack within a single week, plunging the neighborhood into a state of constant anxiety. According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants operated with alarming impunity, armed with cutlasses and petrol-filled bottles to carry out their destructive mission.
Mallam Sani Umar, a shop owner near the destroyed facility, expressed the community's desperation: "They came armed with cutlasses and bottles filled with petrol. They set the whole place on fire. This is the third time this week they are coming into our area, but what they have done is nothing but destructive." He emphasized the economic impact, noting that many families relied on the facility for their sustenance.
Personal Accounts of Terror and Loss
Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim, another resident, shared her harrowing experience: "We were hiding inside when we heard about the invasion. They ransacked some neighborhoods, carting away money and personal items. I have never been so terrified like this. In fact, I heard a noise during the incident, and I suspected it was one of the hoodlums crossing over my fence."
Fatima Aliyu, a local trader, described how the attacks have transformed daily life: "Their pattern is to come, survey, threaten, and then strike. Today, I told my husband that I am not opening. I heard that they have been coming over to survey our area, but yesterday, they returned with violence, setting that place ablaze." She revealed that the community now resembles a ghost town after nightfall as residents remain indoors in fear.
Community Leaders Appeal for Urgent Government Intervention
Malam Idris Mohammed, a community leader in the area, accused the attackers of being outsiders who invade, cause havoc, and disappear. He made a desperate plea for assistance: "These are not our boys. They invade from elsewhere, cause havoc, and disappear. We have made reports, but the patrols are not enough. We are begging the government and security agencies to come to our aid before they wipe us out. People are packing out daily in most areas in Kano where hoodlums are attacking."
The repeated assaults have created a climate of mass fear, with residents reporting that nightly attacks have effectively emptied neighborhoods. Despite attempts to contact authorities, the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Police Command, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, had not responded to inquiries at the time of reporting.
Broader Context of Violence in Kano
This incident follows other recent violent episodes in Kano state, including the tragic killing of a 30-year-old woman, Fatima Abubakar, and her six children in a separate daytime attack at their Dorayi Chiranchi home. In that case, police have arrested three suspects, including a nephew of the deceased, as investigations continue.
The escalating security crisis in Kano has left residents demanding immediate government action, increased security patrols, and accountability for the perpetrators. As attacks become more frequent and brazen, the need for comprehensive intervention grows increasingly urgent to restore safety and stability to affected communities.
