Armed bandits have killed dozens of civilians in Katsina State’s Faskari Local Government Area, local authorities confirmed in statements on Tuesday night.
According to the Katsina State Police Command, the assault unfolded on 3 February 2026 in Doma community, Tafoki Ward, when assailants riding into the village launched a coordinated and sustained attack.
The police said the gunmen were equipped with dangerous weapons and opened fire on residents during the afternoon hours, resulting in a significant number of fatalities and injuries before security forces were alerted and began an investigation into the incident.
Although official figures vary, initial reports indicate that at least 25 people were killed in the raid, with dozens more believed to be wounded or missing.
Residents described chaotic scenes as families fled for safety while emergency responders worked to reach the hardest-hit parts of the community.
Local authorities condemned the violence and stated that additional security personnel have been deployed to the area to pursue the attackers and protect other vulnerable settlements.
The police public relations officer said efforts are underway to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice.
The Faskari area of Katsina State has been a flashpoint in the broader banditry crisis affecting northwestern Nigeria, where criminal gangs engage in raids, kidnappings, cattle rustling and extortion, often exploiting remote rural terrain to evade law enforcement.
Analysts say such incidents highlight persistent gaps in regional security and the need for sustained countermeasures.
Security experts note that despite ongoing responses by Nigerian forces, including intensified operations and community-based initiatives, attacks continue to disrupt life and livelihoods across several local government areas in Katsina and neighbouring states.