Katsina State in northwest Nigeria is notorious for banditry and kidnapping activities
At least 11 people have been killed after suspected bandits carried out a reprisal attack on communities in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Police said the attackers struck around midday on Sunday, invading Jeka da Kolo and Kwalgoro villages where they opened fire on residents before being repelled by tactical teams.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, condemned the killings, describing the assault as “cowardly and barbaric,” while extending condolences to the victims’ families.
In a statement by police spokesman Abubakar Sadiq, authorities confirmed that additional operatives had been deployed and a manhunt launched to track down the attackers.
Security operations, including bush-combing and coordinated patrols, have since been intensified to prevent further violence and restore calm in the affected communities.
The police noted that the attack followed recent successes against bandits, including the recovery of stolen livestock and the foiling of earlier assaults in nearby villages.
Meanwhile, the state government said intelligence had linked the violence to a notorious bandit leader, Mohammadu Fulani, urging residents to remain vigilant and continue sharing information with security agencies.
