Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Armed bandits on Thursday disrupted funeral prayers for three civilians killed during an earlier attack on Unguwar Naino community in Na’alma Ward, Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, deepening fear and outrage among residents already reeling from renewed violence.
Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred at about 11:15 a.m., when heavily armed gunmen stormed the community just as mourners gathered to perform Islamic burial rites for the victims. The attackers reportedly fired sporadically and advanced toward the burial ground, forcing relatives, community members and clerics to abandon the funeral and flee for safety.
The three deceased were among victims killed during a raid carried out by the same armed group on Wednesday morning, which also left several other residents injured. Survivors of that earlier attack said bandits invaded the village at dawn, shooting indiscriminately and causing panic before retreating into surrounding bush paths.
Thursday’s disruption of the funeral has intensified shock and anger in the area, coming barely days after reports of a peace agreement between bandits and local leaders in Malumfashi LGA. Community members said the latest incident has shattered any remaining confidence in the truce, raising questions about its credibility and enforcement.
Residents described the act of preventing burial prayers as particularly traumatic, noting that it violated deeply held religious and cultural norms. “Even in war, the dead are usually respected. What happened today shows there is no regard for human life,” a local elder said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.
The renewed violence has heightened tension across Malumfashi and neighbouring communities, with many residents staying indoors and parents keeping children away from farms and markets. Some villagers reported hearing gunshots intermittently after the funeral disruption, though no additional casualties were immediately confirmed.
Eyewitnesses and community leaders have issued urgent appeals for immediate security intervention, calling on the Katsina State Government and federal security agencies to deploy troops and restore calm. They warned that without swift action, the situation could spiral into further bloodshed, especially as armed groups appear emboldened despite recent dialogue efforts.
Katsina State has remained one of the flashpoints of banditry in north-west Nigeria, with communities frequently targeted for killings, kidnappings and cattle rustling. While authorities have pursued a mix of military operations and peace initiatives, residents say the latest attack underscores persistent gaps in protection at the grassroots level.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the funeral disruption. However, locals say patrols are urgently needed to prevent further attacks and allow the community to bury their dead in dignity.
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