No fewer than seven children are said to have been killed in a stampede in Shimfida, Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, over the fear of bandits.
The children were killed as residents of the area, flee their homes after hearing gunshots and fearing imminent attack by the terrorists.
It was learnt that the incident happened on Thursday morning, a few hours after soldiers serving in a joint security task force, in the community were withdrawn.
The community, it was gathered, felt protected with the presence of the
soldiers stationed at Government Secondary School, Shimfida, which is about 27 Kilometres from Jibia town, the local council headquarters.
According to the councillor for Shimfida ward, Kabir Haruna, the soldiers had been in the town for about eight years.
Following their withdrawal, the residents became perplexed. Their fear got worsened when they heard volleys of gunshots in the surrounding hills.
The development, according to a civil society organisation in the state, Muntari TBO, who spoke to Premium Times, resulted in the stampede, leading to the death of the seven children.
Later, it was discovered that bandits were merely celebrating the exit of the soldiers from the area.
TBO said the community members were not informed by the government or the soldiers, that they (the soldiers) were exiting the place.
Meanwhile, over 1000 women and children fleeing Shimfida, arrived in Jibia town Thursday afternoon, and are currently taking refuge at Tashar Furera in Pilot Primary School, Jibia.
Other fleeing Shimfida residents were said to have crossed to the neighbouring Niger Republic via Gurbin Baure community.
