Buhari's s Request rejected
President Muhammadu Buhari Flickr

The most recent terrorist attack ahead of the presidential elections claimed the lives of at least 42 members of a vigilante group in the Yargoje forest, Kankara, in Katsina State.

President Buhari paid homage to all the vigilantes who had died in the attack, according to a statement released by his spokesperson, Malam Garba Shehu.

The sacrifices made by the "brave guys" trying to reduce crime in their neighborhoods would not be forgotten."Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this difficult period. May Allah repose the soul of the deceased," said Buhari, as per Guardian.

Gambo Isah, a Katsina state police spokesperson, said Friday that a group of armed individuals, commonly referred to as bandits, invaded a village on Thursday in the Bakori local government area of Katsina and robbed it of its livestock before escaping into the surrounding wilderness.

A total of 50 cows and 30 sheep were stolen by the bandits.

The vigilante group tracked the suspects to the Yargoje forest to recover the animals but were ambushed by the bandits, killing 42 and injuring two others.

Many of the victims were discovered in the neighboring Yargoje Forest, which is where the bandits are said to be hiding out.

According to Katsina State Police Spokesman Gambo Isah, a combined security team from the military, air force, and police is searching for the perpetrators.

The lack of security has become pervasive and is a major issue for voters ahead of the February 25 election to choose new members of parliament and a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari, a former military leader who took office eight years ago on a platform vowing to reduce insecurity.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar slammed the horrific murder of 42 persons in northern Katsina. In a statement released Sunday, he said that the "confirmation of the incident by the Nigeria Police was a foreboding moment."

"The terrorist attack on Bakori where 41 people were reportedly killed started making the rounds on Friday, but the Police confirmation of it on Saturday is yet another ugly episode of the senseless killings of Nigerians on account of terror attacks," Atiku said, as per Leadership news.