Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
On Thursday, January 9, 2025, the Batsari–Katsina road in Katsina State became the scene of a violent bandit attack that would later be remembered as the last recorded gunfire incident along that corridor. One year on, the road has remained free of similar attacks, offering a measure of relief to commuters and nearby communities. Yet for survivors and witnesses, the events of that day continue to resonate as a stark reminder of the human toll of insecurity in northwestern Nigeria.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attack occurred when armed bandits ambushed two vehicles travelling along the road. The assault was sudden and brutal, leaving little room for escape. In the first vehicle, the driver managed to accelerate through the danger zone despite gunfire, eventually reaching the nearby villages of Bakin Gulbi and Saki Jiki. His escape, though successful, came at a cost, as one passenger seated at the back of the vehicle was struck by a bullet and sustained a severe leg injury.
The second vehicle was not as fortunate. Its driver was repeatedly shot at close range. Later observations revealed that the driver’s seat bore as many as eighteen bullet holes, underscoring the intensity of the attack. The driver died at the scene. His death marked one of the most tragic outcomes of the incident and added to the growing list of civilians killed on highways affected by banditry across the region. The remaining passengers in the vehicle were abducted by the attackers and taken into the surrounding forest, joining the many Nigerians who have disappeared into captivity during similar attacks in recent years.
After reaching Saki Jiki, panic overtook the passengers in the first vehicle. Fearing that the bandits might pursue them, they fled in different directions, each person seeking immediate safety. When the situation appeared to calm, they regrouped and returned to the vehicle. It was then they discovered that the injured passenger was still inside the car, unable to move because of his condition. Recognising the urgency of the situation and the fact that the vehicle was still operational, the group decided to transport him directly to Katsina for medical attention.
During the journey, as the initial shock gave way to grim reflection, some passengers realised that their mobile phones were missing. In the aftermath of an attack that had claimed a life and led to multiple abductions, the loss of phones was met with resignation rather than anger. For the survivors, the priority remained reaching the hospital and ensuring that the injured man received urgent care.
Upon arrival at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina, the injured passenger was placed on a stretcher and rushed to the Accident and Emergency unit. Medical personnel acted quickly, administering fluids and injections to stabilise his condition. With no relatives immediately present, fellow passengers covered the initial medical expenses, driven by a sense of shared survival and responsibility forged under extreme circumstances.
As doctors proceeded with a more thorough examination, they removed the patient’s trousers to assess the gunshot wound to his leg. At that point, some of those present noticed unusual movements as the man appeared to adjust items concealed on his body. The observation initially drew little attention, as the focus remained on his treatment. Believing that they had done what they could, the passengers prepared to leave further care to the man’s relatives, who were expected to arrive.
Before leaving the hospital, one of the passengers approached a doctor with a request to briefly borrow a phone. He hoped to call one of the missing devices, partly out of curiosity and partly to confirm whether it had been lost on the road. When the number was dialled, the ringtone sounded within the emergency ward. To the shock of those present, the sound came from the pocket of the injured man on the hospital bed.
A closer check revealed that the man had taken several mobile phones belonging to fellow passengers during the chaos following the attack. Even more surprising was the discovery that he had also concealed a pair of shoes belonging to another survivor. The revelation added an unexpected and unsettling layer to an already traumatic event, highlighting how moments of extreme fear and desperation can blur moral boundaries, even among victims of violence.
For observers familiar with conflict and humanitarian crises, the incident reflects the complex human behaviours that often emerge in situations of acute insecurity. Acts of courage and solidarity can coexist with opportunism and betrayal, shaped by fear, survival instincts and uncertainty. For those directly involved, however, the discovery was deeply jarring, complicating their memories of an experience already marked by loss and trauma.
The January 2025 attack occurred against the backdrop of widespread banditry in parts of Katsina State and the wider northwest, where armed groups have for years targeted highways, rural communities and travellers. Such attacks have resulted in deaths, mass abductions and significant economic disruption, prompting repeated calls for stronger security measures and sustained military and law enforcement operations.
In the months following the Batsari–Katsina incident, security presence along the road was reportedly strengthened, and community vigilance increased. Since that day, there have been no confirmed reports of further gunfire attacks on that stretch of road. For traders, commuters and residents, the return of relative calm has been welcomed, even as broader insecurity persists in other parts of the region.
One year later, the quiet along the Batsari–Katsina road stands in sharp contrast to the violence of that January afternoon. Traffic now moves with fewer interruptions, and daily life has resumed a semblance of normalcy. Yet for survivors, witnesses and the families of those killed or abducted, the memory remains vivid. The incident continues to serve as a reminder that behind every statistic on insecurity are deeply personal stories of fear, resilience, loss and moral complexity.
As Nigeria continues to confront the challenge of restoring safety on its roads and in its rural communities, the events of January 9, 2025, underscore the need for sustained attention not only to security operations but also to the human consequences of violence. The road may be quiet today, but the lessons and memories of that day endure.
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