Days after peace deal, bandits kill residents, abduct over 20 in Katsina community

Bandits have attacked Gidan Sarki community in Tuge ward of Musawa local government area of Katsina state, killing several residents and abducting more than 20 people.

The attackers also carted away livestock during the raid, forcing entire communities to flee their homes.

The attack occurred on Monday, plunging residents into fear and displacement, according to media reports.

Following the assault, families including women, children and the elderly were forced to abandon their homes and now sleep in forests, graveyards, abandoned wells, on rooftops and under trees for fear of further attacks.

Bakatsine, a security alert platform, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, noting that the attack occurred despite an existing peace deal reportedly reached between Musawa local government stakeholders and armed groups operating in the area.

The platform said the attack highlighted the fragility and apparent failure of such peace agreements, as communities promised safety continue to face violent assaults.

Residents were reportedly killed during the invasion, while more than 20 people were taken to unknown locations by the attackers.

The exact number of casualties could not be independently verified as many residents have fled the area and security access remains limited.

Community members expressed anger over the continued attacks, questioning the rationale behind peace deals with armed groups that continue to terrorise civilians.

The incident adds to a series of violent attacks in Katsina state, where banditry, mass abductions and killings have persisted despite repeated assurances by authorities that security has improved.