Fear gripped residents of Faruruwa village in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State on Thursday evening as suspected bandits launched a deadly attack on the village market, killing two people and abducting a young man.
Eyewitnesses and local sources confirmed that the attack happened as traders were closing for the day at the weekly market. The assailants stormed the market with guns, targeting a well-known businessman in the area whose family had previously suffered from a similar incident.
According to a resident, the gunmen arrived in the market around dusk and headed straight for the trader’s stall, believing he would be there. However, upon not finding him, they seized his son and opened fire, killing two bystanders and injuring another.
“It is clear that the businessman was their target. They went straight to his shop but didn’t find him there. So, they took his son,” said the local source, who spoke under condition of anonymity for security reasons. “This is not the first time. These same criminals abducted his wife before and released her after collecting ransom. She spent two months with them.”
One of the deceased was identified simply as Rabilu, a local resident who was reportedly caught in the crossfire. The second victim’s identity has yet to be confirmed. Another person sustained injuries and is receiving medical attention at a nearby facility.
The abducted young man is believed to be the son of the businessman previously targeted by the group. His mother was kidnapped months earlier and later released after the family reportedly paid ransom. That incident lasted for over 60 days, deepening concerns in the community about growing insecurity in the region.
Residents believe the repeated targeting of the same family points to a calculated pattern by the attackers, possibly aimed at extorting money or settling personal scores.
According to villagers, Nigerian Army troops stationed near the border with Katsina State responded quickly to distress calls and gave chase to the fleeing attackers. Though it is not yet clear if any of the gunmen were captured or neutralized, sources say the military presence helped prevent further casualties and may have pushed the attackers back.
Faruruwa village borders parts of Katsina State—an area notorious for bandit activities in recent years. Many residents suspect that the attackers came from across the state line, exploiting the porous boundaries between rural communities.
“These criminals always use the forest areas between Kano and Katsina. We have soldiers stationed in some parts of the area, but the criminals are familiar with the terrain and know how to escape quickly,” said another resident.
The Kano State Police Command confirmed the incident through its spokesperson, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa. While he acknowledged that a deadly attack had occurred in Faruruwa, he stated that full details were still being gathered by law enforcement agencies.
“Yes, we are aware of the incident. However, I am yet to receive the full report with all the details. Our officers have been deployed to the area,” DSP Kiyawa said in a brief statement.
Security agents are said to be conducting investigations and patrols in the area, while efforts are ongoing to rescue the abducted victim.
The attack adds to the growing concerns over insecurity in northern Nigeria, particularly in rural communities of the North-West, where armed groups have been carrying out kidnappings, robberies, and killings with alarming frequency.
States like Katsina, Zamfara, and parts of Kaduna have seen hundreds of such attacks in recent years. Though Kano State has been relatively more stable, border communities like Faruruwa are increasingly vulnerable due to their proximity to troubled areas.
The Federal Government has launched several military operations to tackle banditry and kidnapping in the region, including Operation Hadarin Daji and Operation Forest Sanity. However, residents continue to live in fear as many attacks still go unpunished, and perpetrators often escape into dense forests and ungoverned territories.
The killings have sparked grief and fear in Faruruwa and surrounding villages. Market activity has come to a halt as many residents stayed indoors on Friday, mourning the victims and fearing a possible return of the attackers.
Community leaders have called on the state and federal governments to improve security presence in border areas and invest in community policing efforts.
“We need stronger security. These criminals come in, kill our people, and leave without consequences. We cannot continue living like this,” said a local youth leader.
Others have urged security agencies to monitor the movements of known criminal groups and strengthen collaboration between the police, the military, and local vigilantes.
As of the time of this report, the identity and whereabouts of the abducted young man remain unknown. Authorities are expected to intensify search and rescue efforts in the coming days.
The government of Kano State has not yet issued an official statement on the attack, but security experts suggest that the incident may prompt a review of current strategies in rural areas close to known bandit hideouts.
