Gunmen believed to be bandits stormed communities in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State late Thursday, leaving nine people dead and 13 others wounded.
The attackers targeted Kauran Fawa, Unguwar Jika, and the surrounding villages in a sudden and violent strike.
A local resident described how the assailants abandoned their motorcycles in the bush and approached the villages on foot, opening fire indiscriminately.
“They came quietly but started shooting to announce themselves. We rushed the injured to the hospital. Nine lost their lives that night,” the source said, requesting anonymity.
Reports indicate that the gunmen abducted 10 villagers, releasing most of them under pressure from security operatives. Only one individual remains in their custody as of Friday morning.
The council chairman, Hon. Bishir Gyazama, confirmed the attack and noted that five of the victims have been buried following Islamic rites.
“It is heartbreaking. Just five months ago, we signed a peace agreement with repentant bandits and experienced a period of calm. This attack has shaken the community,” he said.
Gyazama emphasised that enhanced security measures are now in place to prevent similar incidents.
Thursday’s violence comes shortly after attacks in Faskari, Funtua, and Matazu councils, where bandits killed two people and abducted several others.
These incidents highlight persistent security challenges in the state, despite peace agreements that facilitated the release of 1,000 previously kidnapped victims.
Critics argue that the recent surge in attacks may be linked to delays by the state government in releasing 70 suspected and convicted bandits, a move originally outlined as part of the peace initiative.
Observers fear that stalling the release could undermine efforts to sustain lasting peace.