Katsina, Nigeria – Tragedy struck in Katsina State as armed bandits launched coordinated attacks on four communities in Malumfashi Local Government Area, leaving at least 50 people dead and several others abducted.
The violence began at dawn on Tuesday when gunmen stormed a mosque in Unguwan Mantau during morning prayers. Witnesses said the attackers, riding motorcycles and armed with AK-47 rifles, opened fire indiscriminately on worshippers. At least 30 people were killed on the spot.
The rampage did not end there. According to Hon. Aminu Ibrahim, the member representing Malumfashi Constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly, the assailants extended their assault to nearby communities including Gidan Adamu Mantau, Unguwar Yar Mai Dabo, Makera, and Burdigau. In these villages, 20 residents were reportedly burnt alive in their homes.
“Fifteen villagers were also abducted, mostly women and nursing mothers, leaving behind infants and grieving families,” Ibrahim told lawmakers during plenary on Tuesday.
Security Concerns and Delayed Response
Residents accused security forces of negligence, saying they had alerted operatives on Monday evening about unusual movements in Burdigau. Soldiers reportedly arrived but later withdrew without securing the area. By the early hours of Tuesday, the bandits struck.
“The situation has become unbearable. Our people can no longer live in their villages because of these relentless attacks,” Ibrahim lamented on the floor of the Assembly.
Mass Burial and Grief
The scale of the tragedy was underscored during a mass burial conducted in the area. A resident, Inusa Ladan, who took part in the funeral, confirmed that 27 bodies were interred in the first round of burials, with more expected to follow.
The affected communities, located about 17 kilometres from Malumfashi town, now lie in mourning, with hundreds displaced and fearful of further attacks.
Conflicting Figures
Initial reports from the state government had placed the death toll at 13, based on a statement by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu. However, fresh accounts from community leaders and eyewitnesses suggest the toll is much higher, standing at 50.
Background
Katsina, the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari, has suffered repeated waves of violent attacks by armed groups, commonly referred to as bandits. The incidents, marked by mass killings, abductions, and arson, have displaced thousands of residents across rural communities.
The latest massacre adds to growing concerns over the worsening insecurity in the North-West, where banditry has continued despite repeated military operations.
