Bandits From Katsina Attacking Us – Kano Residents

Residents of the Shanono Local Government Area in Kano State have raised concerns over attacks on their community and surrounding villages by bandits crossing over from Katsina State.

Speaking to journalists in Kano on Thursday, Yahaya Umar Bagobiri, Chairman of the Faruruwa Security Committee, stated that the community has faced attacks from bandits who entered Kano from neighbouring Katsina State in 2022. He appealed for urgent intervention from both the federal and state governments.

He said, “We have been grappling with serious security challenges for the past three years. Bandits have been coming from Katsina into Faruruwa and its surrounding areas to kill, kidnap, and steal our livestock.”

According to him, these attacks have resulted in loss of life, destruction of property, and theft of livestock, particularly cows, goats, and rams.

“At least 150 cows have been taken so far, and the bandits usually arrive on motorcycles, sometimes in groups of up to 50, to kidnap people, kill residents, or steal animals,” he explained.

Bagobiri added that since 2022, the community had lost over 1,600 cows, dozens of motorcycles, and other valuable possessions.

He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State to assist in deploying more security personnel.

“We are appealing to the federal and state governments, particularly Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to support us and collaborate closely with security agencies, especially the army and police, to protect our people,” he stated.

He also mentioned that some communities around Faruruwa have been deserted, as residents have fled to neighbouring Katsina State in search of safety.

Bagobiri, flanked by community elders during the briefing, emphasised that unless urgent measures were taken, the border communities risked being overrun by bandits.