At least 20 people have been abducted following a deadly attack by armed bandits on Gidan Sarki community in Tuge Ward of Musawa Local Government Area of Katsina State. The attack, which occurred on Monday, has left the community in fear, with many residents fleeing their homes to seek safety in nearby forests and other unsafe locations.
According to local sources, the bandits stormed the village in large numbers, shooting sporadically and causing panic among residents. Some people were reportedly killed during the attack, while several others were injured. The attackers also made away with a large number of livestock, including cows, goats, and sheep, which serve as the main source of livelihood for many families in the area.
Residents said the attack happened suddenly, leaving little time for people to escape. Those who managed to flee ran into nearby bushes and open areas to avoid being captured. Entire families, including women, children, and the elderly, were forced to abandon their homes.
A source familiar with the incident said the scale of displacement was severe. According to him, many families are now sleeping in forests, graveyards, abandoned wells, rooftops, and open spaces under trees. He added that the displaced residents are afraid to return home because they fear the bandits may strike again.
“Yesterday, bandits stormed Gidan Sarki community in Tuge Ward, Musawa LGA of Katsina State, killing residents, abducting over 20 people, looting livestock and forcing entire communities to flee,” the source said.
“Families now sleep in forests, graveyards, abandoned wells, rooftops, and under trees. This happened despite the peace deal between the LGA stakeholders and the bandits,” he added.
The attack has shocked many residents because it came despite an earlier peace agreement between stakeholders in Musawa Local Government Area and some armed groups operating in the region. The peace deal was meant to reduce attacks and allow farming and daily activities to continue without fear.
In recent months, community leaders, local government officials, and security representatives had reportedly engaged in talks with bandit groups to restore calm in the area. As part of the agreement, communities were encouraged to cooperate, while the armed groups were expected to stop attacks and kidnappings.
However, Monday’s incident has raised serious doubts about the effectiveness of such agreements. Many residents now believe that the peace deal has collapsed, leaving them exposed to further violence.
Musawa Local Government Area is one of several parts of Katsina State that have suffered repeated attacks by armed bandits in recent years. Katsina, which is the home state of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has been one of the worst-hit states in Nigeria’s north-west region.
Banditry in the region is often linked to cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, and attacks on rural communities. Armed groups frequently target villages, killing residents, abducting men, women, and children, and stealing livestock. In many cases, families are forced to pay large sums of money to secure the release of their loved ones.
The activities of bandits have had a serious impact on farming and food production. Many farmers in Katsina and neighbouring states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kaduna have abandoned their farmlands due to fear of attacks. This has contributed to rising food prices and increased poverty in the region.
Residents of Gidan Sarki said the latest attack has worsened an already difficult situation. With their homes destroyed or abandoned and their livestock stolen, many families are now struggling to survive. Children are unable to attend school, and access to food, clean water, and healthcare has become more difficult.
Some displaced residents appealed to the government and security agencies to act quickly to protect them. They called for increased security presence in Musawa LGA and surrounding communities to prevent further attacks.
“We cannot continue to live like this,” a resident said. “We need soldiers and police here. Our people are suffering, and nobody feels safe anymore.”
Efforts to reach security officials in Katsina State for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. However, in past statements, the state government has said it is working with security agencies to tackle banditry through military operations, intelligence gathering, and community engagement.
The Katsina State government has also supported the establishment of vigilante groups and community watch teams to help provide early warnings and support security forces. Despite these efforts, attacks have continued in many rural areas.
As night falls, many displaced families from Gidan Sarki remain in hiding, uncertain about when they can safely return home. The fear of another attack hangs heavily over the area.
For the people of Musawa LGA, Monday’s attack is another painful reminder of the ongoing insecurity in Nigeria’s north-west.