Gunmen on Monday evening reportedly killed nine traders along Jibia/Batsari Road in Katsina State.

Residents alleged that the traders were returning to their community from a local market in Jibia when they ran into the gunmen around 6 p.m. on Sunday.

INTEGRITY NEWS learnt that the traders were being conveyed in two vehicles which the gunmen also burnt.

A resident who pleaded for anonymity disclosed that “The traders left the market early enough after their trading on Sunday only for them to run into the gunmen between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. along the Jibia/ Batsari Road.”

The resident said the gunmen shot into the two vehicles conveying the traders, killing one of the drivers and the traders on the spot.

The gunmen also reportedly burnt down the two vehicles the traders were travelling in.

Some residents who spoke with our correspondent further disclosed that sympathisers later deposited corpses of the victims at the Jibia General Hospital where their relatives picked them on Monday morning.

The numbers of traders wounded in the accident and those abducted could not be ascertained as of Monday afternoon.

The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Muazu, had yet to react to the incident.

The spokesman for the Katsina State Police Command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, was said to be at a meeting and yet to respond to the SMS sent to him on the incident.

Meanwhile, Governor Dikko Radda, has said there is relative peace in the state because of the efforts of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the state.

He made the remarks at the annual West African Social Activities organised by the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Katsina.

The governor who was the special guest of honour at the occaaion was represented by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs.

He said, “Your efforts are highly commendable. I urge you to maintain the laudable standard. The historical role of WASA serves as an avenue that fosters good relationship between the Nigerian Army personnel and host communities which has been serving its purpose in the state over the years.”

END.