Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A sustained midnight assault on Ketare town in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State was repelled early Monday morning after a fierce gun battle between armed bandits and local vigilantes backed by Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) personnel. The town survived, but the victory came at a devastating cost: at least seven defenders, including two CJTF members, were killed in the exchange, sources told Stone Reporters News.
The attack, which occurred in the late hours of Sunday, June 28, 2026, saw heavily armed bandits attempt to overrun the community, but they met stiff resistance from local security forces who had been placed on alert following intelligence about a possible incursion. The gunfight lasted for hours, with the vigilantes and CJTF holding their ground until the assailants retreated into the surrounding bush.
While the community was spared from a full-scale massacre, the loss of seven defenders has left the town in mourning. Behind every casualty is a family that will never be the same again — children who have lost fathers, wives who have lost husbands, and a community forced to grieve while living under the constant shadow of violence.
A resident who spoke to our correspondent described the scene as "chaotic and terrifying," adding that the defenders fought bravely despite being outgunned. "They came with heavy weapons, but our boys stood their ground. We survived, but we lost some of our bravest sons," the resident said.
The Malumfashi LGA has been a hotspot for bandit activity in recent months, with communities facing repeated attacks, kidnappings, and extortion levies. The latest assault on Ketare underscores the persistent insecurity plaguing Katsina State and the wider North-West region, where armed groups continue to terrorise rural communities despite ongoing military operations.
No community should have to endure this cycle of fear and loss. As the town buries its fallen heroes, the question remains: how much more must these communities endure before lasting peace is finally restored?
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