Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Katsina State, Nigeria — Armed bandits carried out coordinated attacks in separate locations across Katsina State early this morning, assaulting traders and seizing motorcycles along a major roadway and later abducting a resident and rustling livestock in a nearby community — incidents that underscore ongoing instability despite recent peace accords with armed groups.
According to multiple community sources, bandits **blocked the Runka to Habul road in Safana Local Government Area at dawn, where they intercepted traders heading to market, physically assaulting several of them and seizing their motorcycles. The attack abruptly halted commerce along a usually busy trade route, forcing motorists and commuters to retreat as the assailants fled the scene.
Shortly after, another bandit group reportedly invaded Doma community in Tafoki Ward, Faskari Local Government Area, where they abducted one person and rustled a large number of livestock, including cattle and goats, before disappearing into nearby bushland. Eyewitnesses said the victims were taken by surprise, and the raid lasted only minutes before the attackers withdrew.
Both Safana and Faskari local governments have been included in recent peace agreements between community stakeholders and armed groups in Katsina State, part of efforts by authorities and traditional leaders to secure lasting stability. However, residents lament that such accords have failed to prevent violent incursions, with bandits continuing to target civilians for extortion, abduction and theft. Analysts earlier noted that these peace deals have allowed some high-profile suspected bandits to attend negotiations without fully disarming, raising concerns among residents about their effectiveness and sustainability.
This morning’s attacks mirror other recent incidents in the region where bandits have repeatedly struck despite purported local truces, including a deadly raid in which more than 20 villagers were abducted and livestock stolen in Musawa Local Government Area earlier this month — an attack that happened even though a peace deal was reportedly in place with armed groups.
Katsina continues to be among the northwest states most affected by banditry, kidnappings and armed raids, despite government claims of progress in some areas. Security experts warn that without comprehensive disarmament and enforcement measures, local peace arrangements risk collapsing under the pressure of entrenched criminal networks that exploit them to regroup and expand operational reach.
Local authorities and security agencies are yet to issue an official statement on this morning’s events. Residents have called for improved patrols, rapid response forces and genuine disarmament of armed groups as communities reel from repeated attacks that jeopardise lives, livelihoods and economic activities in rural Katsina.
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