By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times
The wave of insecurity in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State has worsened as armed bandit attacks escalate in rural communities, leaving residents in fear and uncertainty.
Within the past week, three separate villages in northern Malumfashi came under siege.
On Monday, gunmen attacked Gidan Maijimina, killing one person. In another raid, two people were killed and several cattle rustled. On Thursday, bandits invaded Gidan Barau, where they killed a resident from Gidan Dan Ango and stole cattle and mobile phones.
By Sunday, they struck Gidan Hazo, where they looted a shop, carted away food items and drinks, and shot two people who are now receiving treatment at Katsina General Hospital.
“We no longer sleep in peace. Every night we live in fear. We are begging the government to help us before things get worse,” a resident of Gidan Hazo lamented.
A farmer in Gidan Barau added: “Farming activities have been crippled. We can’t go to our farms safely. If this continues, our village economy will collapse.”
Security experts say the growing theft of livestock and food shows that bandits are shifting tactics due to economic hardship in the forests.
Although the Katsina State Government insists it is working with security agencies and local authorities to contain the crisis, residents say they see little impact on the ground.
A security officer, who asked not to be named, admitted: “We face shortages of equipment and intelligence. Without better logistics and surveillance, it will be difficult to make progress.”
Investigations by Katsina Times reveal that several villages—including Koro, Gidan Dandaudu, Unguwar Gishiri, Gidan Maijimina, Gidan Lado, and Zarangozai—have been compelled to pay up to ₦15 million in protection levies to bandits.
Community leaders warn that these payments only embolden the attackers. “Paying money to bandits gives them more power. We need the government to intervene decisively,” said an elder.
Experts caution that the increasing displacement of villagers and rural-urban migration could cripple the state’s agricultural sector.
For now, Malumfashi and surrounding local governments remain in urgent need of decisive action to restore peace and stability.
Another Attack: 13 Worshippers Killed in Malumfashi Mosque
The Katsina State Government has confirmed that 13 people were killed by armed bandits during dawn prayers on Tuesday in Unguwar Mantau, Malumfashi Local Government Area.
The state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Muazu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Katsina.
He explained that the assailants launched the attack as a revenge mission against the community.
“The incident occurred when the attackers stormed the mosque during Subhi (dawn) prayers and opened fire on worshippers,” Muazu said.
According to him, the reprisal followed an earlier confrontation in which residents of Unguwar Mantau had successfully repelled the bandits and killed several of them two days earlier.
Following the deadly assault, security operatives were deployed to the area to restore calm.
“The Commander of the Forward Operating Base of the Nigerian Air Force and police officers have moved to the community to dislodge the bandits. During the rainy season, they often hide in farmlands to launch attacks. We are working tirelessly to track them down and bring them to justice,” the commissioner stated.
The state government commended the bravery of the residents of Unguwar Mantau and reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying the fight against banditry across Katsina communities.
“The government extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of those affected by this tragedy,” Muazu added.
