Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Funtua, Katsina State — **Armed bandits carried out a deadly raid on Yar Tafki community in Funtua Local Government Area on Thursday night, January 15, 2026, residents and security sources report, killing several people and abducting others despite ongoing peace arrangements between local leaders and armed groups. The incident has reignited fear and frustration in a region already grappling with insecurity and mounting scepticism over the effectiveness of recent peace agreements.
According to multiple local sources familiar with events in the area, gunmen stormed Yar Tafki in the late hours, opening fire on villagers and taking hostages before withdrawing into nearby forested areas. Community representatives said the attack resulted in multiple fatalities and abductions, although exact figures could not be independently verified at the time of reporting. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and terror as residents fled for safety amid sporadic gunfire.
Yar Tafki and other villages in Katsina’s Funtua area have long been targeted by criminal gangs operating under the broader phenomenon of banditry in northwest Nigeria. Past incidents in the general vicinity have included killings, kidnappings and hostage-taking, with some raids involving entire families and community heads among the victims. In earlier attacks recorded in the district, similar armed groups had killed residents and abducted school officials and infants in neighbouring hamlets — a pattern that has sown deep anxiety among rural populations.
The latest violence comes in the context of controversial peace negotiations between the Katsina State Government, local authorities and armed groups, which had resulted in a series of truce arrangements covering some local governments, including areas around Funtua. These agreements, brokered in late 2025, were intended to halt hostilities and secure the release of captives in exchange for concessions, including the possible release of detained suspects held in custody as part of the understanding.
Those arrangements had already drawn public scrutiny following reports of a leaked letter from the Katsina State Ministry of Justice to the Chief Judge seeking judicial facilitation for the release of approximately 70 suspected and convicted bandits. The move, described in the correspondence as a measure to “sustain peace accords,” sparked intense debate over whether engaging criminal elements through conditional releases would ultimately weaken the rule of law and embolden armed groups. Critics argued that offering legal reprieve for bandits in exchange for temporary calm could undermine long-term security and justice for victims.
Coalitions of civil groups and community advocates have condemned the approach, insisting that peace secured by appeasement without comprehensive disarmament and accountability is fragile at best. One regional advocacy group warned that releasing suspects without transparent mechanisms for monitoring and reintegration could fuel further violence and betrayal of trust among affected populations.
Residents of Yar Tafki and adjoining communities have now reiterated calls on the Katsina State Government and federal security forces to reinforce patrols, protect vulnerable settlements and ensure that peace negotiations do not compromise the safety of civilians. Many inhabitants expressed disillusionment with the peace framework when communities under truce continue to suffer deadly attacks, arguing that security, not concessions, must be the foundation of lasting peace.
Official statements on the incident from the Nigerian Police Force, the Katsina State Government or the Nigerian Army were not available at the time of reporting. Security analysts note that such attacks in the northwest often elude immediate confirmation by authorities due to access challenges and the remote nature of the affected villages.
As the situation continues to unfold, displaced residents from Yar Tafki have reportedly fled to nearby towns and villages, seeking refuge with relatives and community networks while awaiting coordinated responses from authorities tasked with safeguarding lives and restoring order in the troubled region.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments