Insecurity
Terrorists Strike In Katsina Community Despite Peace Deal, Kill Resident, Abduct Imam, Worshippers Before Fajr Prayer
During the attack, the gunmen reportedly killed a respected resident identified as Malam Surajo and abducted an elderly woman, Gwamma.
Katsina State– Terrorists suspected to be bandits have launched fresh attacks in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing a community member and abducting several residents, including a local Islamic cleric, despite a recently reported peace deal between community stakeholders and armed groups ahead of the Ramadan period.
Afrika Eyes gathered the first attack occurred around midnight on Thursday in Gangaren Mangwarori area of Kankara town when heavily armed bandits stormed the community.
During the attack, the gunmen reportedly killed a respected resident identified as Malam Surajo and abducted an elderly woman, Gwamma.
However, the attackers operated for several minutes without resistance before fleeing with their victim.
In a separate incident early Friday morning, the bandits struck again at Marabar Gurbi community, also within Kankara Local Government Area.
According to residents, the attackers invaded the area around 6:00 a.m., just before the Subhi (Fajr) prayer, abducting several residents who were preparing to attend the mosque after Sahoor.
Among those abducted was the community’s second imam (Na’ibi), Malam Jamilu Marabar Gurbi, who was reportedly on his way to the mosque for prayers when the gunmen ambushed worshippers.
A security alert shared by a security monitoring platform, Bakatsine, confirmed the incidents on Friday, noting that the attacks had heightened fear among residents.
The latest violence has stirred fresh concerns across Kankara communities, particularly because local leaders had reportedly reached a peace agreement with bandit groups operating in the area ahead of the Ramadan fasting period.
Residents say the renewed attacks raise serious doubts about the effectiveness of such agreements and fear that communities may continue to face violent raids despite the truce.
Kankara Local Government Area has remained one of the flashpoints of banditry in Katsina State, with armed groups frequently targeting villages, abducting residents for ransom and attacking travelers.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities in Katsina State had not issued an official statement regarding the latest attacks.
