Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Fresh insecurity has rocked Tafoki ward in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State after armed men reportedly carried out coordinated attacks despite the existence of a so-called peace arrangement meant to restore calm in the area. Residents said the attackers struck in broad daylight on Thursday, storming Danmalka community where they seized wedding gifts and cash, shattering what little confidence locals had placed in the fragile agreement.
According to accounts from community members, the assailants arrived openly and without resistance, targeting a wedding celebration that had drawn families and well-wishers together. Wedding gifts, including cash contributions meant to support the newly married couple, were taken away as the armed men moved freely within the settlement. The incident left guests traumatised and residents questioning the value of peace rules that appear ineffective in the face of persistent violence.
The attack on Danmalka followed closely on another incident reported a day earlier on the outskirts of Tafoki. Locals said armed men assaulted a resident and made away with his motorcycle, further reinforcing fears that criminal groups continue to operate unchecked across the ward. Community sources described the pattern as deliberate intimidation designed to undermine any sense of normalcy or local authority.
The peace deal referenced by residents was introduced following repeated attacks in parts of Faskari Local Government Area, where banditry has disrupted farming, trade and social life for years. Such arrangements, often involving local intermediaries, traditional leaders or informal understandings with armed groups, are intended to reduce violence and allow communities to resume daily activities. In Tafoki, however, residents now say the deal exists only in name.
Witnesses to the Danmalka incident said the attackers did not disguise themselves and appeared confident that no immediate response would come from security forces. Some residents claimed the armed men spoke openly, mocked the idea of peace, and left without confrontation. While these claims could not be independently verified, they reflect the depth of fear and frustration among the population.
The choice of a wedding as a target has drawn particular anger. In rural communities across Katsina State, weddings are significant social events, often involving collective savings and contributions from relatives and neighbours. The seizure of gifts and cash not only represents financial loss but also an attack on social bonds and cultural values. For many, it symbolised how insecurity has penetrated even the most intimate moments of communal life.
Residents said the daylight nature of the attack has heightened anxiety. “If they can come during the day and do this, then there is nowhere safe,” one local farmer said, expressing a sentiment widely shared in the area. Many villagers reportedly stayed indoors after the incident, while some families considered moving women and children to neighbouring communities perceived as safer.
The earlier assault and motorcycle theft on the outskirts of Tafoki further compounded tensions. Motorcycles are vital in rural Katsina, serving as the main means of transportation for farming, trading and accessing healthcare. The theft not only deprived the victim of property but also affected his ability to earn a living. Community members described the assault as brutal, adding to concerns about escalating violence.
Local leaders have come under pressure from residents to explain why the peace rules have failed. Some elders reportedly convened emergency meetings to discuss the attacks and to consider appealing directly to higher authorities. Others warned that repeated violations risk pushing communities toward self-defence measures, a development that could worsen instability.
Security analysts familiar with the region say such peace deals are often fragile, especially when not backed by consistent enforcement or economic incentives. In parts of north-western Nigeria, informal arrangements have sometimes reduced attacks temporarily, but critics argue they can embolden armed groups if violations go unpunished. The events in Tafoki appear to reinforce those concerns.
Katsina State has been one of the epicentres of banditry in recent years, with armed groups targeting villages for kidnappings, cattle rustling, extortion and raids. Although security operations have been intensified at various times, vast rural areas remain difficult to police due to terrain, limited resources and the mobility of armed groups. Residents of Faskari LGA say they often feel forgotten once immediate crises fade from public attention.
Human rights advocates warn that repeated attacks erode trust not only in peace deals but also in state institutions. When communities perceive that agreements cannot protect them, they may lose faith in dialogue as a pathway to peace. This, they argue, creates a dangerous vacuum where fear, rumours and retaliatory impulses thrive.
As of Thursday evening, there was no official statement from security agencies regarding the Danmalka raid or the earlier assault on Tafoki’s outskirts. Residents said they had reported the incidents to local authorities and were awaiting a response. Many expressed hope that the attacks would prompt renewed security deployment to the area, rather than being treated as routine occurrences.
For families affected by the wedding raid, the immediate concern is recovery from loss and trauma. Community members said neighbours had begun contributing again to help the couple start their life together, an act of solidarity seen as defiance against fear. Yet even this gesture carried an undercurrent of uncertainty about what might come next.
The events in Tafoki ward underscore the ongoing challenge of restoring lasting peace in rural Katsina. Despite agreements and assurances, the reality on the ground for many communities remains one of vulnerability and apprehension. Residents say they are not opposed to peace initiatives but insist such arrangements must be credible, enforced and responsive to violations.
As night fell over Danmalka, the community remained tense but resolute. Elders called for calm while urging authorities to act decisively. For many in Tafoki, the attacks were a stark reminder that peace, without security and accountability, remains fragile. Whether the latest incidents will trigger a meaningful response or fade into a long list of unaddressed grievances remains an open question for a community struggling to live without fear.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments