Insecurity: 14 Feared Dead as Bandits Launch Deadly Night Attacks in Katsina Communities

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed at least 14 people and injured several others during two separate attacks in Dandume and Musawa Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

The first incident occurred around 8 p.m. on Tuesday in the Dansoda community of Dandume LGA, where heavily armed assailants reportedly invaded the area and opened fire on residents.

A community member, who asked not to be identified, said the attack happened shortly after residents had finished breaking their Ramadan fast and were sitting outside their homes.

According to the source, panic erupted as the attackers began shooting indiscriminately, forcing residents to flee in different directions. Some people attempting to escape were also targeted by the gunmen.

“After the attackers left, we carefully came out of hiding and discovered that 11 people had been killed,” the resident said.

The victims were later buried according to Islamic rites around 9 a.m. on Wednesday, while those who sustained injuries were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

As of the time this report was filed, the Katsina State Police Command had yet to officially comment on the attack in Dandume.

In a separate but related incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Katsina State, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, confirmed that bandits attacked Jikamshi village in Musawa LGA earlier the same day at about 6:10 p.m.

He said the assailants injured 14 people during the attack before security forces arrived at the scene.

“On March 10, 2026, at about 1805 hours, Musawa Divisional Police Headquarters received a distress call that suspected armed bandits had invaded Jikamshi village,” Sadiq stated.

He explained that a joint security team was immediately deployed to the area and engaged the attackers in a gun battle, eventually forcing them to retreat.

The injured victims were taken to the nearest medical facility for treatment. However, three of them later died from their injuries, while 11 others remain hospitalized.

The Katsina State Commissioner of Police has condemned the attacks and ordered a thorough investigation to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

Local sources also revealed that the attackers operated in the community for more than an hour, during which they looted shops and stole food supplies and other valuables estimated to be worth millions of naira.

Residents reportedly alerted security agencies and government officials about suspicious movements before the attacks occurred.

The fresh violence comes shortly after a controversial peace deal between some affected communities and so-called repentant bandits, which reportedly led to the release of about 70 suspected and convicted bandits — a decision that has drawn widespread criticism from Nigerians.