Suspected bandits killed a staff member of the Federal University, Dutsinma (FUDMA), Katsina State, Dr. Tiri Gyal, and abducted two of his sons in the early hours of Monday morning.

The incident occurred between 1:00 am and 2:00 am, with the bandits also abducting two women, sisters of Mr. Adeola, another FUDMA staff member.

According to witnesses, the bandits harassed several people, particularly women, seizing their handsets and money during their operation.

Dr. Gyal was the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at the institution.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Armaya’u Bichi, confirmed the incident to The Guardian on Monday morning.

“They killed one of our staff, Dr. Tiri Gyal, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Agriculture. They killed him and abducted two of his male children. They also entered the home of one Mr. Adeola and abducted two of his sisters. Some female staff who were at the house were not abducted, but their phones and money were seized.”

The Vice Chancellor said the body of the deceased had been deposited at the General Hospital, Dutsinma, and would be transported to Katsina town later in the day.

The incident comes less than a month after bandits abducted two staff members of the institution, along with the son of one of the victims, at their GRA residence in Dutsinma.

Last year, on October 4, bandits in their numbers abducted five female students staying at a lodge located adjacent to the institution. Four of the students ended up staying in their abductors’ den for 74 days before they were released, while one spent 47 days before her release.

FUDMA is located in one of the council areas facing security challenges and is sited a few metres away from an expanse of bushes.

The past and recent incidents have raised concerns among stakeholders about the security of students and staff of the institution.

Details later…