Bandits storm Katsina village, kill three residents, loot shops

Bandits attacked a village in Katsina state, killing three residents and looting several shops during a raid that lasted more than an hour.

Residents said the attackers stormed the community shortly before Muslims gathered to break their Ramadan fast.

The gunmen, estimated to be more than 20, arrived on about a dozen motorcycles and entered the village through the northern outskirts.

A community leader said the attackers moved through settlements along the Katsina–Matazu border before reaching the village.

The source said the bandits rode along the town’s main road while shooting intermittently, forcing residents to flee into houses and nearby alleys.

He said: “They followed the main road shooting until they reached the end of the town.”

The attackers reportedly turned back and passed through the town again while continuing to fire their weapons.

Residents said several victims were shot during the second pass while shops were broken into and looted.

The bandits reportedly carted away goods, cash and mobile phones from some of the shops.

Residents said three people were killed along the main road as the attackers advanced through the village.

One of the victims was a man who had recently returned from Lagos and was shot at the entrance of the town.

Another victim was reportedly sitting at a welder’s workshop before he was shot while trying to escape.

The third victim, believed to be deaf and without close relatives, was shot while attempting to flee.

Two of the victims were married men whose bodies were buried the following morning. Residents said the sudden attack caused panic across the community as people ran for safety.

A resident said: “In that kind of situation, nobody thinks about recording anything. Everyone was just trying to save their lives.”

A short video recorded during the attack later circulated on social media showing gunmen firing while moving through the streets.

Abubakar Aliyu, police spokesperson in the state, said the command received the alert at about 6:05pm on Tuesday.

Community members said some injured victims were treated locally while others were taken to hospitals in Katsina.