Armed bandits wielding dangerous weapons have reportedly stormed several communities in Katsina State, carrying out coordinated night raids that led to the abduction of many residents.
Eyewitnesses who spoke to newsmen said the attacks occurred late Monday night when heavily armed gunmen descended on the affected areas. According to the accounts, the assailants operated for several hours, unleashing terror and causing widespread disruption across the communities.
Security sources disclosed that the attackers initially struck Unguwar Alhaji Barau before advancing to Gidan Dan Mai-gizo and Gidan Hazo. All three communities are situated within Na’alma Ward of Malumfashi Local Government Area in Katsina State.
As of the time of reporting, security agencies have not released an official statement on the incident, and the precise number of people killed or abducted has yet to be confirmed.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Katsina State Police Command, Abubakar Sadiq, told Channels Television during a telephone conversation that he was not immediately aware of the reported attacks. He assured that he would verify the information and provide feedback.
“Please, let me check because I’m just hearing about the attack from you now. I will be back to you, please,” Sadiq said.
Malumfashi is regarded as one of the frontline local government areas in Katsina State where bandit attacks have escalated in recent times. This trend has persisted despite peace agreements reportedly reached between local authorities and armed groups operating within the area.
The latest assault comes months after a deadly mosque attack on 19 August 2025, when gunmen invaded a place of worship, opened fire on worshippers, and killed at least 32 people in Unguwar Mantau community, also located in Malumfashi Local Government Area.
What you should know
Katsina State has remained one of Nigeria’s most affected regions by banditry, with Malumfashi Local Government Area frequently targeted due to its strategic location and past security breaches.
Despite dialogue and peace deals between authorities and armed groups, attacks and kidnappings have continued, raising concerns about the effectiveness of these agreements.
The latest incident underscores the persistent insecurity in rural communities and the challenges facing security agencies in curbing coordinated bandit operations, especially in areas with a history of mass casualty attacks.
