Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A deadly attack by suspected armed bandits in Unguwar Isiyaku community, Makera Ward, Funtua Local Government Area (LGA), Katsina State on Tuesday night has once again exposed the fragility of security assurances in northwest Nigeria. According to local reports, at least one resident was killed in the raid, and several others were abducted as gunmen stormed the community, triggering fear, displacement and renewed doubts about the effectiveness of government-brokered peace agreements with armed groups.
The violent incursion occurred amid a broader pattern of insecurity across parts of Katsina State, where communities in Funtua, Dandume, Malumfashi and Bakori LGAs have experienced frequent attacks by bandits, even as authorities tout peace deals with armed factions. In recent weeks and months, similar violence has been reported in various parts of the state, underscoring the continued capacity of criminal networks to carry out lethal raids despite negotiated ceasefires.
In a separate attack in Funtua LGA, suspected bandits carried out a coordinated raid that killed two residents and abducted more than 50 women, spurring a fresh push for urgent security intervention from both community leaders and residents. The assailants in that incident also rustled livestock and inflicted significant fear among villagers, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of the threat. Local officials appealed for intensified military and security operations to protect vulnerable communities and secure the release of those still held captive.
The series of attacks has cast doubt on recent peace arrangements negotiated by the Katsina State Government with some factions of armed bandits. Critics and local commentators argue that these agreements have failed to deliver lasting calm, pointing instead to a resurgence of violence that affects daily life, economic activity and rural stability. There have also been reports of planned releases of suspected bandits as part of peace deal conditions, a move that has drawn significant backlash from security experts, civil society organisations and victims’ families who argue that it undermines justice and could embolden criminal networks.
According to state security officials, Katsina’s sprawling rural terrain and porous borders with neighbouring areas have enabled armed groups to operate with relative freedom. Reports suggest that banditry in the state involves not only killings and abductions but also cattle rustling, extortion and the imposition of “taxes” on farmers and residents travelling through insecure corridors — tactics that further deteriorate community livelihoods.
The ongoing violence has placed pressure on both state and federal security apparatuses to respond more decisively. Recent ambushes on security patrols illustrate how volatile the situation remains. In one recorded incident along the Guga–Bakori road, suspected bandits attacked a police patrol, killing multiple officers and injuring others, highlighting the risks faced by security forces and the persistent threat to law enforcement presence in the region.
Government officials have occasionally reported successes in stabilising parts of the state, but residents in affected LGAs continue to experience disruptions to everyday life. Civic leaders and analysts emphasize that the cycle of violence — marked by attacks, negotiations and fragile truces — has eroded confidence in formal peace processes and has left many rural communities feeling abandoned and insecure.
The impact of these incidents extends beyond immediate physical harm. Repeated raids and the fear of abduction have forced many families to adopt self-imposed curfews, curtailed agricultural activities, and contributed to internal displacement as people seek relative safety in more secure towns and urban centres. Some communities have reportedly seen their populations decrease significantly during periods of heightened insecurity. Local leaders have called for improved intelligence, enhanced deployment of security forces, and sustained engagement with communities to build trust and pre-empt future attacks.
The Katsina State Government has, at times, reiterated its commitment to peace and security, stressing efforts to broker understanding with armed groups and to restore normalcy. However, critics argue that without a comprehensive strategy that balances negotiation with enforcement of the rule of law, such efforts may yield only temporary reprieve rather than sustained peace. The recent attack in Unguwar Isiyaku has further amplified these concerns, prompting renewed calls for a reassessment of current approaches to tackling banditry in northwest Nigeria.
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