No fewer than 11 persons have been killed in a reprisal attack by bandits on communities in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The Katsina State Police Command said the incident occurred at about 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, when the attackers regrouped and invaded Jeka da Kolo and Kwalgoro villages, shooting victims before security operatives repelled them.
Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, condemned the attack and extended condolences to the families of those killed.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, the CP described the assault as “cowardly and barbaric” and ordered an intelligence-led manhunt for those responsible. Additional tactical teams have also been deployed to the area.
The police said bush-combing operations and coordinated patrols have been intensified to track the fleeing assailants and prevent further attacks.
Residents were urged to remain calm but vigilant and to provide credible information to security agencies.
The command noted that the attack followed recent operational successes against bandits in the area.
On April 29, operatives foiled a cattle rustling attempt in Gadar Yan Tulu and Kartaka villages, recovering 205 animals, including 91 cows and 114 sheep. Similarly, on May 2, another attack on Matinjin village was thwarted, with several bandits fleeing with gunshot wounds and eight motorcycles recovered.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Government also condemned the killings, describing them as acts of terror targeting innocent civilians.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, the government said intelligence reports had earlier indicated that a notorious bandit leader, Mohammadu Fulani, was mobilising armed men toward the area.
According to the government, a joint security team led by the Divisional Police Officer in Kankia initially intercepted the group, neutralising some of the attackers and recovering rustled cattle and motorcycles.
However, the same group later launched a retaliatory attack on Gwalgoro Village in Gyaza/Kunduru Ward, killing 11 people.
The government commended security agencies for their swift response and called for sustained collaboration between communities and security forces to curb further violence.
