Funeral Prayers Held After Deadly Bandit Attack in Doma, Katsina State

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa

Funeral rites were conducted on Thursday, February 5, 2026, for several residents killed in a brutal armed bandit attack in Doma community, located in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State. The solemn service brought together grieving families, religious leaders, and community members determined to honour the lives lost while voicing deep concern over continuing insecurity in the region.

The attack, which occurred on Wednesday afternoon, targeted unarmed civilians in a community already strained by frequent bandit incursions. Initial reports indicate that the assailants stormed Doma without warning, unleashing gunfire that resulted in multiple fatalities and left residents in shock. Although exact casualty figures have not been officially released, eyewitness accounts and community leaders confirmed that several people were killed, prompting urgent calls for justice and enhanced protection for vulnerable rural populations.

The killings unfold against the backdrop of ongoing peace initiatives in parts of northwest Nigeria, including Katsina State, where government officials, local authorities, and some community representatives have pursued dialogue efforts with bandit groups reportedly operating from forest hideouts. These engagements, framed by authorities as attempts to foster “peaceful coexistence,” have included intermittent negotiations, ceasefire overtures, and advocacy for voluntary disarmament in exchange for reintegration support.

Despite these outreach efforts, violent attacks have persisted across multiple communities, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of current conflict-resolution strategies. Residents of Doma expressed profound frustration during funeral prayers, describing the recent killings as a stark indicator that banditry remains deeply entrenched and that measures to curb it have, thus far, fallen short of guaranteeing community safety.

Families in attendance wept openly as clergy recited prayers for the departed, highlighting the human cost of the violence that has plagued northwest Nigeria for years. Religious and traditional leaders, drawing on both Islamic and communal customs, urged collective resolve to support the bereaved while denouncing the “senseless brutality” of the attackers. Several speakers called on government authorities at state and federal levels to ensure accountability for those responsible for the Doma assault and for any persons or entities believed to be aiding or enabling the criminal networks.

“Today we bury our loved ones, but we also bury the illusion that dialogue alone can end this cycle of violence,” said one community elder during the service, articulating a sentiment shared by many residents. “Our people deserve lasting security and justice. We cannot live in fear in our own homes.”

Katsina State, located in Nigeria’s northwest, has witnessed a protracted wave of insecurity marked by armed banditry, kidnappings, and raids on villages and farms. The phenomenon has disrupted livelihoods, dislocated families, and placed immense strain on local governance structures. In many affected areas, rural populations have organised informal vigilance groups, but residents acknowledge that these efforts are often insufficient in the face of well-armed criminal elements.

The recent attack in Doma adds to a growing tally of violent episodes that have undermined confidence in peace processes touted by authorities. Critics of the ongoing engagement strategy with bandit groups argue that such efforts, without meaningful accountability and strengthened security measures, risk legitimising criminality rather than dismantling it. They contend that sustainable peace must be grounded in effective law enforcement, community intelligence networks, and socio-economic investment in areas long marginalised by development and state attention.

Authorities at the state level have yet to issue a detailed public statement regarding the Doma killings. Previous remarks by Katsina officials have emphasised a two-pronged approach to insecurity: combining military operations with negotiated ceasefire appeals. Federal government security agencies have frequently reassured the public of intensified patrols and task-force deployments in vulnerable areas. However, many community members maintain that tangible improvements on the ground remain limited.

Human rights advocates have similarly condemned the attack and called for thorough investigations. They emphasise the necessity of transparent accountability mechanisms that hold perpetrators responsible under the law, as well as measures that ensure victims’ families receive adequate support. In a region where legal recourse is often slow or inaccessible, advocates argue that visible justice serves both as a deterrent and as affirmation of the rule of law.

Socio-economic conditions in Katsina State’s rural hinterlands further compound the insecurity challenge. Many communities depend on agriculture and day-to-day subsistence farming, activities that place them in remote locations vulnerable to criminal attacks. Market traders, pastoralists, and displaced families alike have voiced concerns about reintegration prospects as violence disrupts economic opportunities and access to education for children.

The funeral in Doma underscored the emotional and communal toll of repeated attacks, with several young mourners observed placing soil into the graves of the departed—a rite symbolising both farewell and a communal commitment to remember those lost. Women in attendance appealed for divine intervention while advocating for policies that prioritise safety and the protection of all citizens, particularly in areas where state presence is perceived as limited.

“What happened here is not just an attack,” said a local imam who led prayers over the caskets. “It is a violation of our dignity and our humanity. We must seek justice, but we must also work to ensure our communities never again suffer in silence.”

As Katsina State grapples with the aftermath of the Doma killings, families of the victims, civil society actors, and local leaders are expected to press for increased government responsiveness. While funerals officially mark the end of formal mourning customs, they also often serve as platforms for sustained dialogue on collective security aspirations and demands for concrete action.

For the residents of Doma and neighbouring communities, the hope now lies in a meaningful recalibration of security efforts that can stem the violence and prevent further loss of life. The legacy of the recent attack, beyond grief and mourning, may yet hinge on whether authorities heed the calls for justice, accountability, and comprehensive strategies that address both immediate threats and the underlying drivers of banditry in northwest Nigeria.

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