Bandit Attack Claims 11 Lives In Katsina

Suspected bandits have killed at least 11 persons, including a local security operative and a pregnant woman, during an attack on two farming communities in Bakori local government area of Katsina State.

The attack occurred on Sunday afternoon in Gidan Wawu and Gidan Sarkin Noma, neighbouring agrarian settlements in Guga Ward, as residents returned from the weekly Guga Market.

A community source, Mahadi Danbinta Guga, said the attackers appeared to have deliberately targeted the villages on market day, when many residents had returned home after purchasing supplies ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

“They had returned from the market and were at home when they were attacked and killed,” he said.

According to residents, the assailants killed 11 people, set houses ablaze, destroyed property, and rustled livestock before fleeing the area.

Among the victims was Mujitafa Nuhu, popularly known as “Officer,” a member of the Katsina Security Watch Corps (KSWC), a community-based security outfit supporting formal security agencies.

Residents also confirmed that a pregnant woman was among those killed, although her identity had yet to be officially confirmed at the time of filing this report.

Community members later recovered the bodies and transported them to the Guga Primary Healthcare Centre, where funeral prayers were conducted before the victims were buried on Monday morning.

Some residents expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as the absence of government officials and security personnel during the burial rites.

“There wasn’t a single police officer or security personnel present during the burial,” the community source alleged.

He further claimed that no senior local or state government official attended the funeral.

Residents also alleged attempts to prevent public documentation of the aftermath, claiming that some individuals discouraged people from taking photographs or videos during the burial proceedings.

“They don’t want the world to know the actual situation,” the source alleged.

The incident comes amid worsening insecurity in parts of Katsina State, where rural communities continue to face repeated attacks involving killings, kidnappings, arson, and cattle rustling.

Residents said Guga Ward had experienced several attacks in recent weeks, with at least five additional deaths recorded in the area before Sunday’s assault.

When contacted, the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, said details of the incident would be provided later.

As of the time of filing this report, no official statement or confirmed casualty breakdown had been released by authorities.