Armed bandits with riffle
At least a dozen people have been killed and several homes destroyed after armed bandits attacked Doma community in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The attack happened around 4:30pm on Tuesday in the Tafoki area, five months after a local peace agreement had brought relative calm to the community.
Witnesses said the assailants arrived on motorcycles, firing gunshots and setting houses, shops and vehicles ablaze, forcing residents to flee.
The Chairman of Faskari Local Government Council, Sirajo Daudawa, described the incident as a suspected reprisal attack. He said prominent traditional leaders and security personnel were among the first targets.
“We lost at least 20 people. Several houses and vehicles were burnt down,” Mr Daudawa said. He added that security agencies were informed but arrived after the attackers had left the area.
According to him, bodies were recovered in the Tafoki area and burial was scheduled for Wednesday morning. He expressed sympathy with the affected families and called for an end to the violence.
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However, the Katsina State Police Command gave a lower casualty figure. In a statement released on Tuesday night, the Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, said 13 people were fatally shot during the attack.
The police said the Divisional Police Officer mobilised operatives to the scene in collaboration with the military and the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, but the attackers escaped before security forces arrived.
Mr Shehu condemned the attack and ordered the deployment of additional resources to investigate the incident and arrest those responsible.
The attack has left many residents homeless and deepened fears about renewed violence in parts of Katsina State, where banditry has continued to disrupt daily life despite past peace efforts.
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