President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the latest attacks by bandits in Katsina State in three local government areas that left 47 persons dead.

Gunmen killed 47 people in attacks on villages in the northwestern Nigerian state of Katsina in the early hours of Saturday, police in the state said in a statement.

“There were reports of organised and simultaneous attacks in villages in Danmusa, Dutsenma and Safana by groups of armed bandits,” the statement said.

“Detachments of Police, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Airforce, Civil Defence and DSS (Department of State Services) have been drafted to the area,” it added.

Reacting to the incident on Sunday, the President said that he was deeply saddened by the latest development and called on Nigerians not to despair because his administration is ever determined to defeat and crush the criminal elements taking advantage of the lockdown to attack their victims.

Buhari added;  “In line with my commitment to security of the people, these attacks will be met with decisive force.”

The President directed the security agencies not to rest on their oars or lower their guard which will create a vacuum for the bandits to strike.

While extending his sympathies to the families of the victims, he called on the people to show more vigilance by reporting the activities of criminal elements in their midst.