Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
KATSINA, NIGERIA — Fresh fears over insecurity gripped parts of Katsina State on Tuesday evening after armed bandits blocked the Guga–Bakori Road and launched a coordinated attack on travellers, injuring several people and dispossessing commuters of their motorcycles and other valuables.
The incident occurred at about 8:00 p.m. along the stretch of road linking Unguwar Alhaji Bello community and Guga town in Bakori Local Government Area, a route frequently used by residents, farmers, and commercial motorcycle riders moving between rural settlements and nearby towns.
According to local sources, the assailants, described as heavily armed, mounted a roadblock and stopped vehicles and motorcycles at gunpoint. Travellers were reportedly forced to dismount before being robbed, while motorcycles were seized by the attackers, who later fled into nearby bush paths.
Several victims sustained injuries during the нападение, either from physical assault or gunshot wounds. Those injured were rushed to the Guga Primary Health Care Centre, where they are currently receiving treatment. Medical staff at the facility confirmed admitting multiple patients on Tuesday night, though the exact number of injured persons remains unclear as of the time of reporting.
Residents say the attack has heightened anxiety in the area, especially as it occurred in the evening hours when many commuters were returning home. The Guga–Bakori axis has, in recent years, experienced sporadic criminal activity, but locals say the boldness of the latest attack underscores the growing confidence of armed groups operating in the region.
Community members lamented the continued vulnerability of rural roads in Katsina State, noting that bandits increasingly exploit poorly monitored routes to carry out robberies, kidnappings, and cattle rustling. Some residents accused the attackers of having prior knowledge of traffic patterns along the road, allowing them to strike at a time of peak movement.
As of Wednesday morning, there had been no official statement from the Katsina State Police Command regarding the incident. However, security sources indicated that patrols were being intensified around Bakori and neighbouring communities to prevent further attacks and track down the perpetrators.
The attack adds to mounting concerns about security across Katsina State, one of several north-western states battling banditry despite ongoing military and police operations. Local leaders and residents continue to call for increased security presence, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained patrols along key rural roads to protect lives and livelihoods.
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