Bandits Kill 42 in Violent Attacks Across Zamfara and Katsina States

Bandits

Bandits have killed at least 42 people in a series of violent attacks on multiple villages in Zamfara and Katsina states.

In Zamfara State, 12 individuals, including seven police officers, were killed on Thursday in Magarya village, Zurmi Local Government Area. The victims also included a member of the Zamfara State Community Guards and four local residents.

Zamfara State Commissioner of Police Muhammad Shehu Dalijan confirmed the deaths of his officers to Daily Trust. He reported that around 300 bandits on motorbikes surrounded the village and launched an attack, killing seven police officers and injuring several others. The bandits, according to Dalijan, were retaliating against the police presence that had prevented their operations for over two years.

Resident Muhammad Yusuf described the early morning attack, which occurred around 5:10 a.m. while people were preparing for morning prayers. The assailants also burned two houses, a car, and numerous silos, and rustled three camels along with several cows, sheep, and goats. Despite the chaos, no abductions were reported.

Yusuf recounted that this was the fourth attack on their village, marking the first since a mobile police unit was deployed two years ago. Another resident, Ibrahim Shehu, noted that many villagers had fled following the bandits’ threats of further attacks, seeking refuge in Gusau, the state capital, and nearby towns.

In Katsina State, bandits killed at least 30 people in attacks on villages in Dutsinma and Safana Local Government Areas. The affected villages included Tashar Kawai Mai Zurfi, Sabon Gari Unguwar Banza, Dogon Ruwa, Sanawar Kurecen Dutsi, Unguwar Bera, Kuricin Kulawa, Larabar Tashar Mangoro, Sabaru, Ashata, Unguwar Ido, Kanbiri, Kunamawar Mai Awaki, and Kunamawar ‘Yargandu. These attacks occurred on Tuesday, with fresh assaults reported yesterday on Dogon Ruwa, ‘Yar Kuka, Rimi, Lezumawa, and other villages.

The relentless attacks forced residents to flee, seeking safety in Dutsinma town and Turare village. When contacted for comment, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command, did not respond.

Local government areas like Batsari, Kankara, Malumfashi, and Faskari in Katsina State have also experienced recent bandit attacks, contributing to the growing insecurity in the region.