Fresh concerns over security in Katsina State have emerged following the killing of a Federal Road Safety Corps officer by suspected bandits along a major rural corridor in Faskari Local Government Area.
Security analyst Bakatsine disclosed the incident on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, via a post on X, stating that the attack occurred the previous evening along the Funtua–Tafoki road.
The victim, identified as Ibrahim Dalhatu Tafoki, was reportedly ambushed in the Tafoki axis while moving through the area.
According to the account, the assailants shot the officer during the attack and fled with his motorcycle, leaving him dead at the scene.
The killing has further heightened fears among residents who had recently expressed cautious optimism following renewed peace and reconciliation efforts with armed groups operating in the locality.
Moreover, the incident has drawn wider attention due to the victim’s family background.
Ibrahim Dalhatu Tafoki was the younger brother of Rt. Hon. Shehu Dalhatu Tafoki, a member of the House of Representatives representing Kankara–Faskari–Sabua Federal Constituency.
He was also a son of the Tafoki traditional leader, Alhaji Dalhatu Tafoki.
AFRIPOST reports that the killing underscores the fragility of ongoing peace initiatives in Faskari LGA, where banditry has continued despite dialogue and confidence-building measures.
A community source described the attack as “a painful reminder that armed groups are still active and capable of striking at will.”
Furthermore, security analysts warn that repeated attacks in areas undergoing reconciliation risk undermining trust between residents, authorities, and non-state actors involved in peace talks.
“Each incident like this weakens public confidence and raises questions about whether these engagements are producing tangible safety on the ground,” Bakatsine said.
Hence, residents of Tafoki and surrounding communities are renewing calls for stronger security deployments along key routes, particularly the Funtua–Tafoki road, which has recorded multiple violent incidents in recent months.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from security agencies or the Katsina State Government regarding the attack.
However, community leaders have urged authorities to act swiftly to prevent further loss of life and restore confidence in the region’s security architecture.