Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Armed bandits have launched fresh attacks in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State in north-western Nigeria, killing a community member and abducting several residents including a religious leader, in incidents that have heightened fears among local communities and raised questions about the collapse of a fragile peace agreement negotiated ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The violence occurred between the night of March 5 and the early hours of March 6, 2026, when gunmen struck two separate communities within the Kankara area. The attacks came despite earlier negotiations between community leaders and armed groups aimed at reducing hostilities during Ramadan, a period when many residents hoped violence would temporarily subside.
According to local security sources and reports from the affected communities, the first attack happened shortly after midnight in the Gangaren Mangwarori area of Kankara town. Witnesses said a group of armed men riding motorcycles stormed the neighbourhood, firing sporadically as they moved through residential areas.
During the assault, the attackers reportedly killed a respected resident identified as Malam Surajo. Community members described him as a well-known figure within the area. In addition to the killing, the gunmen abducted an elderly woman identified as Gwamma before fleeing into nearby forested areas that have long served as hideouts for bandit groups operating across the north-west region.
Residents said the attackers carried out the raid swiftly, exploiting the darkness and the limited security presence in rural communities. After seizing the victim, the gunmen reportedly retreated towards surrounding bushland corridors where armed groups frequently maintain camps beyond the reach of local authorities.
Only a few hours later, another violent incident occurred in Marabar Gurbi community, also within Kankara Local Government Area. The second attack was reported around 6 a.m., when residents were preparing for the early morning Subhi prayer following the Sahoor meal during Ramadan.
During the raid, several residents were abducted by the gunmen. Among those taken was the community’s second imam, known locally as the Na’ibi, identified as Malam Jamilu Marabar Gurbi. Witnesses said he was on his way to the mosque for the dawn prayer when the attackers struck and forcibly took him away.
Community members said the sudden nature of the attack created panic as villagers fled their homes to avoid being captured. Some residents reportedly hid in nearby fields and bushes until the gunmen left the area. The exact number of people abducted in the second incident has not been fully confirmed, but local sources say multiple residents were taken.
The renewed violence has sparked widespread anxiety among residents of Kankara, who had recently been informed that local stakeholders had reached an understanding with certain bandit groups to maintain calm during Ramadan. Community leaders had reportedly engaged in negotiations aimed at preventing attacks on villages and allowing residents to farm, travel and worship without fear.
However, the latest assaults suggest that the agreement may have failed or may not have included all armed factions operating within the region. Reports indicate that the peace deal was largely informal and may have involved only specific bandit groups rather than the wider network of armed gangs active in Katsina State.
Stone Reporters note that such peace arrangements have been attempted in several parts of north-western Nigeria in recent years as communities seek relief from persistent bandit violence. The agreements often involve negotiations with armed group leaders through traditional rulers, local government officials or intermediaries.
While some of these deals have temporarily reduced attacks in certain communities, analysts say they rarely produce long-term stability because bandit groups are decentralized and often operate independently. This means agreements with one faction do not necessarily bind others.
Kankara Local Government Area has been one of the most affected regions in Nigeria’s banditry crisis. The area gained global attention in December 2020 when hundreds of schoolboys were abducted from a government secondary school in Kankara town, highlighting the scale of mass kidnappings in northern Nigeria.
Since then, communities across Kankara and neighbouring areas have experienced repeated attacks involving killings, kidnappings, cattle rustling and destruction of homes. Armed groups often use motorcycles to move quickly between villages and forests, allowing them to strike vulnerable communities and withdraw before security forces arrive.
The geography of the region further complicates security operations. Large forest reserves stretching across Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger states provide extensive cover for criminal groups. These forests serve as logistical bases where kidnapped victims are often held while ransom negotiations take place.
Kidnapping for ransom has become one of the most profitable activities for bandit groups in the region. Victims are typically forced to contact relatives to arrange payments, sometimes after enduring weeks or months in captivity. Families often sell property, livestock or farmland to raise the demanded sums.
Recent months have seen multiple incidents in which bandits attacked communities in Katsina despite ongoing negotiations with local authorities. Earlier reports also documented killings and abductions in Kankara communities even after assurances that peace deals had reduced hostilities in the area. (saharareporters.com)
Security experts warn that continued attacks undermine confidence in local peace initiatives and demonstrate the urgent need for stronger and more coordinated security operations across the north-west region.
Authorities in Katsina State have not yet issued detailed official statements on the latest Kankara attacks. However, security sources say investigations are ongoing and efforts are underway to track the perpetrators and secure the release of those abducted.
Meanwhile, families of the victims remain in distress as they await news about their loved ones. Community leaders are calling on both federal and state authorities to intensify security patrols and deploy additional personnel to protect rural settlements that remain vulnerable to armed attacks.
For residents of Kankara, the latest incidents represent another painful reminder that insecurity continues to threaten daily life in northern Nigeria, even during periods when communities hope for peace and reflection.
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