Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Katsina — A violent confrontation between security operatives and suspected drug peddlers in Katsina metropolis has left at least three people dead, triggered by an attempted arrest that quickly escalated into unrest and property destruction, authorities and eyewitnesses report. The incident has heightened tensions in the Sabuwar Unguwa area and drawn fresh attention to challenges faced by law enforcement in curbing illicit drug activities in northern Nigeria’s urban centres.
According to official and local sources, the unrest erupted late on Saturday, 27 December 2025, when operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), backed by police, moved into the Koraman (Koraman) Nayalle section of Sabuwar Unguwa Quarters to arrest a suspected drug dealer identified as Uzairu, popularly known as “Kuda,” and seize his mobile phone and suspected illicit drugs in connection with ongoing anti-narcotics operations.
Eyewitness accounts and statements from security spokespeople indicate that Kuda resisted arrest and sounded an alarm, calling on associates to “retrieve his phone” from the operatives. The situation quickly deteriorated into chaos, with the resistance group surrounding the security team, damaging equipment and escalating into a broader confrontation. During the clash, the suspect was shot and later died from his injuries, a development that sent shockwaves through the neighbourhood.
The disturbance did not end with the suspect’s death. Anger among members of the suspected drug ring and local youths intensified the unrest, leading to a full-blown clash with security personnel and resulting in additional fatalities. According to the Katsina State Police Command and NSCDC officials, two more people were killed in the ensuing violence, bringing the confirmed death toll to three.
In the course of the confrontation, an NSCDC outpost and several motorcycles were set ablaze by aggrieved youths and associates of the deceased, further complicating efforts to restore calm. Security reinforcements were reportedly dispatched to the area to contain the situation and prevent its spread to other parts of the metropolis.
The Katsina State Police Command, through its spokesperson DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, confirmed the incident and acknowledged that the conflict had escalated during the funeral procession of the initial deceased suspect on Sunday, leading to further casualties and property damage. Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and avoid “taking the law into their own hands,” stressing that investigations into the precise causes and sequence of events are ongoing.
The clash comes amid broader concerns over drug peddling and related criminal activity in Katsina and neighbouring states, where security forces have been intensifying anti-narcotics efforts to curb the spread of illicit substances and associated violence. Analysts note that attempts to enforce law and order in such densely populated quarters often intersect with entrenched local networks, complicating routine operations and sometimes provoking violent pushback.
Residents of Sabuwar Unguwa Quarters described scenes of panic and disruption as news of the clash spread. Many expressed fear over the potential for further violence and called on security agencies to boost their presence and engagement with the community to prevent similar flashpoints in future.
Local leaders have emphasised the importance of improved dialogue and community-based policing strategies to bridge gaps between youth groups and law enforcement, hoping to reduce the likelihood of confrontations that spiral into deadly clashes. As Katsina grapples with these security challenges, authorities are expected to step up investigations and work with community representatives to address underlying tensions and strengthen peace and order in the metropolis.
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