Bandits kill police officer, 2 others in Katsina attack

Bandits have killed two civilians and a police officer during an attack along the Karadua–Musawa Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The incident occurred on Sunday, April 5, 2026, when bandits blocked the road and opened fire on a moving Volkswagen Golf vehicle, killing two occupants on the spot.

The Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, in a statement on Monday, said security operatives quickly responded to the attack.

Sadiq-Aliyu said a joint team, comprising police personnel, military operatives, members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps and local vigilantes stormed scene following a distress report.

“The team swiftly dislodged the assailants and evacuated the victims to a nearby hospital,” he stated.

Sadiq-Aliyu said the bandits later regrouped and attempted to launch an attack on the Musawa Police Division.

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He said officers on duty repelled the attack after a fierce gun battle, preventing the bandits from overrunning the facility.

The police spokesman disclosed that one police officer was killed while defending the station.

Sadiq-Aliyu quoted the Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, as saying  that additional operational assets had been deployed to the affected area to strengthen security and forestall further attacks.

The commissioner also ordered a full-scale investigation aimed at tracking down and arresting the bandits.

Umar-Fage urged residents to remain calm and continue to support security agencies with credible information as efforts intensify to bring those responsible to justice.