Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
KATSINA, Nigeria — Armed bandits have carried out a fresh attack in Ungududu community, Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State, abducting several women during a late-night raid that residents described as brutal and coordinated. The victims were said to be mostly housewives, taken from their homes during the overnight invasion.
The attack, which occurred late Wednesday night, has heightened fear across the agrarian community and neighbouring villages already grappling with years of insecurity linked to banditry, kidnappings and cattle rustling. Local sources said the gunmen stormed Ungududu under the cover of darkness, firing sporadically to force residents indoors before whisking away their captives.
This latest incident comes despite repeated peace agreements reportedly brokered between local government stakeholders and armed groups operating in the area. Those agreements were intended to halt attacks and allow farming and daily life to resume, but residents say the promises have repeatedly collapsed, leaving communities exposed.
Community leaders in Ungududu expressed frustration and anger on Thursday, describing the attack as yet another betrayal of trust. “We were told peace had been reached,” one resident said. “But the same people we were told to trust came back at night and took our mothers and wives.”
The raid has reignited debate over the effectiveness of negotiating with armed groups as a security strategy in Katsina State and across Nigeria’s northwest. Critics argue that such deals have failed to deliver lasting peace, instead emboldening criminal groups who exploit negotiations to regroup, rearm and expand their reach.
Security analysts note that banditry in Katsina has persisted despite multiple layers of intervention, including military operations, local vigilante efforts and dialogue initiatives. While some communities initially reported brief periods of calm following peace talks, attacks have often resumed, sometimes with greater intensity.
The Ungududu abductions have also drawn attention to reports that the Katsina State government is considering the release of about 70 detained bandits as part of efforts to fulfil the terms of an existing peace agreement. Though officials have not publicly confirmed the details, the prospect has sparked outrage among residents and civil society groups.
Families of victims and community advocates question how releasing detained suspects would improve security for vulnerable villages. Many argue that previous concessions have failed to prevent attacks or protect civilians, particularly women and children, who remain frequent targets of kidnappings for ransom.
A local women’s group in Funtua described the abductions as “devastating,” noting that many of the victims are caregivers whose absence will deepen hardship in already struggling households. “These women are not fighters,” a representative said. “They are being punished for living in forgotten communities.”
As of Thursday evening, there was no official statement from the Katsina State Police Command confirming the number of abducted women or detailing rescue efforts. However, security sources said patrols had been intensified in parts of Funtua LGA, while intelligence gathering was ongoing.
The attack adds to a growing list of violent incidents in Katsina and neighbouring states, where bandit groups continue to operate despite years of counter-operations. Residents say the recurring violence has eroded confidence in both peace negotiations and conventional security responses, leaving communities trapped between armed criminals and unfulfilled promises.
For Ungududu, the immediate concern remains the fate of the abducted women. Families are anxiously awaiting word, while many residents fear that without a decisive shift in strategy, the cycle of agreements, attacks and broken assurances will continue.
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