Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Tragedy struck the peaceful farming community of Gwarjo in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State on Wednesday evening, May 13, 2026, when armed bandits invaded the town, leaving a trail of injuries, destruction and grief. The attackers, who stormed the community around 7 p.m., shot sporadically, set some buildings ablaze, and carted away valuable items. Several residents sustained injuries during the assault, while an unknown number of people were abducted, among them a young woman whose photograph has since been circulated widely by distraught locals.
According to eyewitness accounts, the bandits arrived in large numbers on motorcycles, firing indiscriminately to spread panic before moving from house to house. “It was chaos. We heard gunshots and people screaming. Many of us ran into the bush to hide. When we returned, we saw our properties destroyed and some of our neighbours taken away,” a resident who pleaded anonymity told Stone Reporters News. The young lady abducted has been identified by family members as a beloved daughter of the community, and her photo has become a symbol of the pain and anger sweeping through Gwarjo.
The attack on Gwarjo is the latest in a string of violent incidents that have turned Matazu LGA into a flashpoint of banditry. In recent weeks, the same axis has witnessed multiple attacks, including a May 11 assault on Yankamaye community that left five dead and several injured. Just two days earlier, bandits also raided Maigora town in neighbouring Faskari LGA, rustling cattle and seizing a motorcycle. Residents of Gwarjo have repeatedly called for increased security presence, but the attacks have continued unabated.
Local leaders have renewed their appeal to security agencies, government authorities, and traditional rulers to take urgent and decisive action to confront the escalating wave of banditry and terrorism in the North‑West. “How many more innocent lives must be shattered before authorities take decisive and lasting action against these repeated attacks and kidnappings?” a community elder asked. The question echoed across the grieving town as families prepared to spend another night in fear.
The Katsina State Police Command has not yet issued an official statement on the Gwarjo attack, but security sources indicate that tactical teams have been deployed to the area to track the kidnappers and rescue the abducted victims. Meanwhile, villagers have organised search parties and night patrols, though many admit they lack the weapons and resources to confront armed bandits. As of the time of this report, no group has claimed responsibility, and no ransom demand has been made public.
The abduction of the young woman has struck a particularly raw nerve. Her family, now frantically searching for news, has appealed to the government and security agencies for help. A relative told reporters, “She is a beautiful soul. Please help us bring her back before it is too late.” Her photo continues to circulate on social media, accompanied by prayers and calls for her safe return.
As darkness fell over Gwarjo, the community remained on edge. Many families have decided to sleep in nearby bushes, too afraid to stay in their homes. Children wept, mothers clutched their babies, and men stood guard with sticks and cutlasses, all waiting for a dawn that may bring either rescue or more sorrow.
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