Gunmen raided the home of Salisu Ango, Governor Umar Dikko Radda's liaison officer, in Gyaza village, Kankia Local Government Area, Katsina State, killing him and his first wife. His second wife was also kidnapped during the incident. Ango, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Kankia Chapter, was shot dead by gunmen who broke into his home on Friday, August 16, 2024. Another banditry incident occurred in Kankia Local Government Area on Saturday night, when robbers reportedly raided the Tashar Gamji village. The armed robbers went from house to house, taking an unspecified number of domestic animals. Residents stated that the bandits stole food and other things during the attack.
In another attack, this time on the Shirgi settlement in Batsari Local Government Area, gunmen killed one person, injured another, and kidnapped 28 others. The invaders also took some domestic animals from the community. A Shirgi local, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claimed the bandits attacked the village on Sunday night, targeting women and children. The intruders shot and killed one 'Amadu Suru' as he attempted to secure his animals. The Katsina State Police Command acknowledged both attacks. While the command has recognised the occurrence in Kankia, it has yet to confirm the circumstances of the Shirgi attack, vowing to issue an official statement once it receives a report from the Divisional Police Officer in Batsari.
Unlike Batsari, Kankia has historically been less affected by banditry. However, Kankia is prone to periodic intrusions because it shares borders with Dutsinma and Danmusa, both of which are infamous for bandit raids. The recent murder of the governor's aide is an example of this escalating threat.