Gunmen suspected to be bandits dressed in women’s Abaya dress have kidnapped 26 persons in Katsina State.

The criminal element invaded Runka community at about 10.30 p.m., shooting sporadically and kidnapped locals – mostly women and children.

An eyewitness who spoke with newsmen said, “In my house alone they abducted 10 females and two males.

“In total, they abducted 26 people from the community.”

He attributed the attack to the nefarious activities of informants working with terrorists to undermine government efforts in fighting the hoodlums.

“The informants include even those in our community. One of the terrorists was even heard exchanging pleasantries with an informant, telling him ‘today we’ve come to your hometown’.

“We’re yet to identify him,” he added.

Abdullahi Sani Safana, Chairman of Safana Local Government Area in Katsina State, who confirmed the attack noted that 22 locals were abducted, but some were able to escape.

He explained that the attack came as a surprise as the bandits disguised wearing Abaya.

Safana said the DPO in the area has deployed his operatives to commence a rescue mission.

Abduljalal Haruna Runka, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, lamented that they used to get information about mission of the terrorists. However, this time around all source of getting information to thwart the attack were blocked.

“They just appeared in the middle of the night.

“We are going back to the drawing board to analyse the situation. To know why we couldn’t get the information”.