Katsina massacre: Death toll hits 50 as 20 burnt bodies recovered

At least 50 people have been confirmed dead following bandits’ attacks on several villages in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The assault, which occurred between Monday night and Tuesday morning, saw gunmen storm Gidan Adamu Mantau, Unguwar Yar Mai Dabo, Makera (Karfi ward), and Burdigau (Yaba ward) on motorbikes, shooting indiscriminately and setting homes ablaze.

Aminu Ibrahim, who represents Malumfashi constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly, told lawmakers on Tuesday that 30 worshippers were killed during morning prayers, while 20 others were burned alive in their homes.

Residents said soldiers were alerted to suspicious movements hours before the attack but left after a brief patrol. The bandits later returned at dawn.

The Katsina State Government, through Secretary to the State Government Abdullahi Faskari, described the killings as “deeply painful and heartbreaking,” assuring that efforts were underway to reinforce security. Governor Dikko Radda, currently on medical leave, directed officials to condole with affected families.

The government confirmed 32 people were killed while praying but said the final casualty figure was still being verified. It added that an airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force disrupted the attackers during an attempted mass abduction, forcing captives to scatter into the bush.

Acting Governor Faruk Jobe also met with the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, in Abuja on Wednesday to demand stronger military action.

Despite repeated security operations, rural communities in Katsina and other North-West states remain vulnerable to banditry, which has claimed thousands of lives and displaced tens of thousands in recent years.