By : Lloyd Mahachi
At least 21 government-backed fighters have been killed in an ambush by bandits in Nigeria’s northwest Katsina State. The convoy of pro-government fighters was returning from paying condolences to the family of a dead colleague when it came under fire from bandits in the village of Baure, in the Safana district.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, has sent shockwaves throughout the region. Katsina police spokesman Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu confirmed the incident, stating that police are seeking to arrest the perpetrators. Witnesses, however, reported a higher death toll, with as many as 25 people killed, and many more villagers remaining missing.
The fighters were members of the state-backed Katsina Community Watch Corps (KCWC), established by Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda in 2023. The KCWC force comprises about 2,000 people, and its members have been working tirelessly to combat the growing insecurity in the region. Despite their efforts, the bandits continue to wreak havoc, leaving destruction and death in their wake.
Katsina is one of several states in northwestern and central Nigeria plagued by bandits who raid villages, killing and abducting residents, as well as burning and looting homes. The state has been at the epicenter of the banditry crisis, with numerous attacks reported in recent months. In June 2024, at least seven people were killed, and 100 kidnapped when gunmen attacked a rural community in the state.
The gangs, who maintain camps in a huge forest straddling Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger states, have earned notoriety for mass kidnappings of students from schools in recent years. Nigeria’s Boko Haram group has also carried out attacks and abductions in the state, exacerbating the security challenges facing the region. The situation has become increasingly dire, with many residents living in fear of the bandits.
The police have deployed personnel to the area to help restore order, and an investigation is underway to apprehend those responsible for the attack. The incident highlights the ongoing security concerns in Nigeria’s northwest region, where banditry and kidnapping have become increasingly prevalent. The government has pledged to take decisive action to address the crisis, but many are questioning the effectiveness of their efforts.
As the situation continues to unfold, many are left wondering what the future holds for the people of Katsina State. Will the government be able to restore order and security, or will the bandits continue to wreak havoc? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the people of Katsina State deserve justice and peace.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi
