Fresh Bandits’ Attacks: Multiple Casualties Reported in Katsina as Residents Blame Failed Peace Deals

Katsina, Nigeria – Armed bandits have launched coordinated attacks on four separate villages in the Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State, leading to the death, injury, and abduction of several residents. The latest wave of violence underscores the persistent security crisis plaguing the North-West region.

Dependable NG reports that the incident came to light following a post shared on Tuesday by security analyst Bakatsine on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). According to the analyst, the bandits struck the villages of Yallaya, Gadar Dan Zarrah, Kwandawa, and Jibo on Monday night.

Residents of the communities described a terrifying onslaught where the assailants stormed the areas and began shooting indiscriminately, forcing villagers to abandon their homes and run into nearby bushes in a desperate attempt to seek safety. Bakatsine wrote on X: “Yesterday night, bandits stormed Yallaya, Gadar Dan Zarrah, Kwandawa and Jibo villages in Kankia LGA, Katsina State, killing, injuring, and abducting residents.”

The renewed aggression is being blamed by local residents on the recent, controversial peace agreements struck between bandits and neighbouring local government areas. These locals argue that such non-governmental peace deals often have the unintended consequence of emboldening the criminal groups, causing them to simply shift their operations to unprotected areas like Kankia.

The State Government and police authorities in Katsina are yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident as of the time of filing this report, leaving the affected communities and the wider public to rely on reports from security analysts and local accounts. The lack of an immediate official response is likely to further fuel fears and criticism over the state’s strategy for tackling banditry.