Kankara Local Government Area in Katsina State has come under repeated attacks by armed bandits, leading to the death of at least 24 people, including farmers, local residents, and a community security officer. The rising violence has left many locals living in fear as several villages continue to face brutal raids.
According to local sources, the violence started around six days ago when bandits stormed multiple farming villages, including Yargoje, Kwakware, Danmarke, Gidan Dawa, and Burdugau. During the attacks, about 20 farmers were killed. Some were abducted while working in their fields, and animals used for farming were taken away by the attackers.
A resident, who asked not to be named, noted, “About six days ago, bandits attacked farmers in Yargoje, Kwakware, Danmarke, Gidan Dawa and some from Burdugau. They killed about 20 farmers, kidnapped some and rustled the animals with which they tilled their farms.”
In another violent event on Monday, bandits attacked Marmara village, also located within Kankara. During this attack, members of the Community Watch Corps (C’watch) and the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) responded to the threat. Sadly, one C’watch member was killed, and two Civilian JTF members were injured. The assailants managed to break into the village, killing three more residents.
“They had also penetrated Marmara village where they killed three residents,” another resident confirmed.
Later that same night, the criminals moved to villages east of Kwakware, where they kidnapped several residents and stole more livestock. The total number of people taken during these raids remains unknown.
One local who spoke to reporters anonymously noted that these attacks could be linked to the uneven peace agreements signed in different parts of the state. He said, “So long as there will be a peace agreement in one place and not in all other affected areas, there is every tendency that the bandits will strike where they are not in peace with.”
In a related development, Katsina State Police Command announced that they were able to stop another attack in Mazare village, Sabuwa LGA. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, a group of bandits tried to kidnap villagers around 9 p.m. on June 18. Two residents, Sa’idu Isa (37) and Sa’idu Wa’alam (61), were injured during the attack.
The police, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), rushed to the scene. A gunfight broke out, and the officers successfully rescued four kidnapped victims — three women and a baby girl. The wounded men were taken to the hospital and are said to be recovering.
“Upon receipt of the report, the DPO mobilised and led a team of police operatives to the scene, where a gun battle ensued, leading to the successful rescue of all four kidnapped victims unharmed as the assailants fled the scene due to superior firepower,” said Aliyu.
