In a deadly attack on Monday evening, armed bandits struck the outskirts of Marmara community in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing four members of the Civilian Watch Corps (CWC) and several local farmers.
The victims were reportedly working on farmlands when the assailants stormed the area in large numbers, opening fire indiscriminately.
The CWC operatives, who were providing security support to farmers in the troubled region, were gunned down while attempting to repel the attackers.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with many fleeing into the bushes for safety.
“It was a terrifying moment. They came on motorcycles, armed with guns. We lost friends, neighbours, and even our protectors,” said, a local resident.
Community leaders say the attack left many injured, with several farmers still unaccounted for. The exact number of casualties remains unclear, but locals estimate it could rise as more details emerge.
A senior local official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, condemned the killings, saying, “This is another tragic reminder of the security crisis our farmers face daily.”
Security forces have yet to issue an official statement on the latest attack.