Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Katsina State, Nigeria — Gidan Sarki community in Tuge Ward of Musawa Local Government Area, Katsina State, was thrown into chaos yesterday after armed bandits launched a deadly raid that left residents killed, more than 20 people abducted and entire neighbourhoods emptied in panic, residents and local sources said.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the attackers arrived in large numbers, shooting sporadically as they moved through the community. Several villagers were reportedly killed during the assault, while others were seized and taken away by the gunmen, whose destination remains unknown. In addition to the loss of lives and abductions, the assailants carted away livestock, dealing a severe blow to families whose livelihoods depend largely on farming and animal rearing.
The scale of the attack triggered a mass flight from Gidan Sarki and surrounding settlements. Families fled with little or no belongings, seeking safety wherever they could find it. By nightfall, displaced residents were scattered across nearby forests, graveyards and open spaces, while others took shelter on rooftops, under trees and around abandoned wells to avoid detection by the attackers.
Community members described harrowing scenes of fear and confusion, with women, children and elderly people spending the night exposed to the elements. Many said they were too afraid to return home, fearing that the bandits could strike again at any moment. “We are sleeping in the bush like animals,” one resident said, adding that children were crying from hunger and cold while parents struggled to find water and food.
The attack has generated deep anger and frustration because it occurred despite a peace deal previously reached between Musawa Local Government stakeholders and bandit groups operating in the area. The agreement, brokered through community leaders and local authorities, was intended to halt attacks, kidnappings and cattle rustling in exchange for dialogue and reconciliation.
Residents said the agreement had raised hopes of a return to normalcy after years of insecurity, but the latest violence has effectively shattered confidence in the truce. Many villagers now question the sincerity of the armed groups and the effectiveness of negotiated settlements in addressing banditry across Katsina’s rural communities.
Local leaders expressed dismay at what they described as a betrayal of trust. According to them, the community had complied with the terms of the peace arrangement, only to be met with renewed violence. “This attack shows that the bandits do not respect any agreement,” a community elder said. “Our people are paying the price.”
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation of casualty figures or the exact number of abducted persons by security authorities. However, residents insist that more than 20 people were taken during the raid, while several others sustained injuries as they fled.
The humanitarian situation in the area is worsening, with displaced families in urgent need of shelter, food, medical care and security protection. Civil society groups and concerned residents have appealed to the Katsina State Government and federal authorities to deploy security forces to the affected communities, rescue abducted victims and restore confidence among residents.
The latest attack underscores the fragile security situation in parts of Katsina State, where banditry has persisted despite military operations and local peace initiatives. Analysts warn that without sustained security presence and effective enforcement, peace deals risk collapsing, leaving rural populations vulnerable to repeated violence and displacement.
For now, fear hangs heavily over Gidan Sarki and neighbouring communities, as residents wait anxiously for news of abducted loved ones and assurances that it is safe to return home.
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