The Health Secretary of Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, Sa’adu Dantutture, has been abducted and killed by bandits in his hometown of Dantutture, Kafur LGA.

Dantutture, a former Director of Primary Healthcare in Funtua LGA, was abducted shortly after returning to the community during an attack on Wednesday night.

An eyewitness, Kabir Ado Mai Unguwa, said the attackers stormed the community around 11 pm, looted some shops and took Dantutture away.

He said the attackers killed him while trying to leave the community.

“They first abducted him and took him away after looting some of our shops. But while they were leaving the village, they killed him,” he said.

Mai Unguwa said troops of the Nigerian Army’s 17 Brigade, working with the vigilantes, also engaged the attackers.

Three suspected bandits were reportedly killed, while another fled after abandoning a weapon.

Dantutture was buried in his hometown, amid tears and prayers from family members, colleagues, friends and residents.

His widow, Fatima Sa’adu, described him as a humble man who was committed to serving his community.

“My late husband was a man of the people. He lived a very simple and humble life. This family has been devastated by his death,” she said.

She appealed to the government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity and protect citizens.

Dantutture served as Director of Primary Healthcare in Funtua LGA before becoming Health Secretary of Malumfashi LGA.

The Chairman of Funtua LGA, Abdulmutallib Sulaiman Goya, who visited the family, described him as an honest civil servant who devoted his life to serving humanity.

Mu’azzam Sa’adu, a son of the deceased, also urged the government and security agencies to act against banditry.

“We want peace. We deserve to be protected. No family should have to go through what we are experiencing today,” he said.

A friend of the deceased, Alhaji Rabi’u Dantutture, described the killing as a painful loss.

“He was a very nice and humble person, and someone who was deeply committed to whatever he chose to do. I never imagined that one day I would stand here mourning him like this,” he said.

The spokesperson of the Katsina State Police Command, DSP Sadik Aliyu, said he would verify the report and respond.

He had not done so as of the time of filing this report.

The reported killing of three suspected attackers and the abduction of two residents could also not be independently confirmed by Daily Trust. (DAILY TRUST)