Five Women Abducted in Katsina as Bandits Attack Commercial Tricycle Along Rural Border Route

Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa

JIBIA, Katsina State — Residents of Jibia Local Government Area are on edge following a brazen attack by armed bandits on a commercial tricycle along a rural route near the border with Niger Republic. The incident occurred late Sunday night and resulted in the abduction of five female passengers, intensifying fears over insecurity on cross-border and remote travel routes.

According to eyewitnesses, the tricycle driver, identified as Isiya Gaye, was intercepted by three armed assailants near the Danbafullace area beyond Kurfawa village, close to the road leading toward the Dan-Issah community in Niger Republic. The attackers reportedly tied Gaye’s hands in an attempt to kidnap him, but he managed to escape, leaving the women in the hands of the bandits.

Residents described the attack as “calculated and audacious,” given its location on a route heavily used by local commuters and traders traveling to border towns. The abducted women’s identities have not been publicly disclosed, and security operatives are yet to confirm their status or location.

The incident has raised renewed concern over the activities of armed groups in the area, particularly following recent reports involving notorious bandit leader Bello Turji and a so-called repentant bandit who was allegedly abducted and later released in Lankai. Local observers are questioning the influence of internal dynamics within these armed groups on recent abduction patterns, though official details remain scarce.

Community leaders and security sources are urging residents to avoid nighttime travel along rural and border routes and to remain vigilant. They have also called on law enforcement agencies to intensify patrols along known transit corridors to prevent further kidnappings.

Katsina State has experienced a surge in abductions along border routes in recent months, with rural communities increasingly targeted due to limited security presence and the mobility of armed groups. The latest attack underscores the persistent vulnerability of commuters, particularly women, traveling in isolated areas during late hours.

Authorities have appealed to members of the public with information regarding the whereabouts of the abducted women to contact local police stations or community security operatives immediately, stressing that timely intelligence is critical to ensuring the victims’ safe recovery.

As investigations continue, the community remains on high alert, with heightened anxiety over potential follow-up attacks. The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of ensuring safe travel along rural and border routes in northern Nigeria, where armed groups continue to exploit gaps in security coverage.

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