Tension in Katsina as residents protest fresh bandit attacks

Tension has gripped several communities in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State following a fresh bandit attack that left one person dead and 17 others abducted, sparking violent protests across the area.

The attack, which occurred Monday night in Danjanku village, came despite an existing peace deal between the bandits and the government.

Residents said it was the third attack in less than a week, bringing the total number of abducted persons in the area to over 30.

Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants invaded Danjanku around midnight, scaling fences and breaking into homes before abducting residents and killing one person.

Angered by the repeated attacks, youths in the affected communities took to the streets on Tuesday morning, blocking the Funtua–Katsina highway to protest the government’s failure to protect them.

The initially peaceful demonstration turned violent when security forces arrived to disperse the protesters, with residents alleging that soldiers shot and killed one demonstrator.

The unrest quickly spread as youths from nearby Dantashi and Dayi joined in solidarity, blocking roads and burning tyres to express frustration over the worsening insecurity.

Normalcy was later restored following the intervention of traditional rulers and community elders.

Confirming the incident, the Village Head of Danjanku, Tanimu Almakiyayi, said, “They came last night, killed one of our people, and abducted several others. We are living in fear here.”

A security source also verified the attack, saying, “The bandits invaded Danjanku last night, abducting 17 people and killing one in the process.”

Residents further alleged that soldiers deployed to quell the protest shot two demonstrators dead and injured two others.

Efforts to reach the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.

Locals lamented that communities in Malumfashi and neighboring Bakori LGAs have continued to suffer frequent attacks despite the much-publicized peace accord.

“They still tax us before we can harvest our crops, and even after paying, there’s no guarantee of safety,” one resident said.

Another added, “The bandits attacked two days ago and returned again last night.

“That’s why the youths protested. Instead of calming the situation, the soldiers started shooting.”

Residents accused both the state government and security agencies of neglecting rural communities, saying the peace deal has failed to bring meaningful security to the area.