The Senate has raised serious concern over worsening insecurity in Katsina State following fresh bandit attacks that reportedly left at least 35 people dead within 24 hours. Lawmakers described the situation as alarming and called for urgent military action, improved policing, and immediate relief for affected communities.
The resolutions were reached on Wednesday after a motion of urgent public importance was presented during plenary. The motion focused on the recent ambush of operatives of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State. During the attack, three policemen were killed, while two others sustained critical injuries.
Leading the debate, the sponsor of the motion, Senator Mohammed Dandutse, who represents Katsina South Senatorial District, said the attacks were part of a wider wave of violence across several local government areas in the state.
According to him, no fewer than 24 people were killed in Faskari Local Government Area, eight in Dandume, two in Funtua, and one in Kankara. He said the attacks were carried out by armed bandits who continue to operate freely in many rural areas.
Senator Dandutse said the killings have deepened fear among residents and further disrupted daily life in the affected communities. He warned that the situation was becoming unbearable, especially for farmers who rely on peace and security to carry out their activities.
He told the Senate that farming activities across large parts of Katsina State had been badly affected by the violence. According to him, more than 50,000 farmlands have been abandoned because farmers are afraid of being attacked or kidnapped while working on their fields.
“This situation poses a serious threat to food production and livelihoods, not only in Katsina State but also beyond,” Dandutse said. He noted that Katsina is one of the major food-producing states in northern Nigeria, supplying grains and other farm produce to many parts of the country.
The senator also recalled that Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, had earlier led a delegation from the Funtua Zone to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to seek federal support over the rising insecurity. During that visit, the President reportedly promised to establish a military barracks around Malumfashi to help curb bandit activities in the area.
Dandutse urged the federal government to move quickly to fulfill that promise, saying the presence of a permanent military base would help restore confidence among residents and strengthen security operations in the region.
He further raised concerns about the porous borders linking Katsina State with parts of Kaduna and Zamfara states. According to him, bandits often use these routes to move freely across state lines, launch attacks, and escape without being tracked.
He stressed the need for better coordination among security agencies across the three states, noting that banditry is not limited to one location but is a regional problem affecting the wider North-West.
Several senators who contributed to the debate agreed that existing security efforts needed to be strengthened. The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, said the situation in Katsina reflected the broader security challenges facing many parts of the country.
He called for increased deployment of troops to affected areas, better equipment for security forces, and intelligence-driven operations to identify and dismantle bandit networks.
Other lawmakers also spoke about the impact of insecurity on the economy, especially agriculture. They described the affected local government areas as key farming zones that play an important role in food supply.
Senator Aliyu Wadada warned against negotiating with bandits, saying such approaches often backfire. According to him, paying ransoms or granting concessions only encourages criminal groups to continue their activities.
“We must be careful not to reward violence,” he said, adding that a strong and firm security response was needed to deal with the problem.
After deliberations, the Senate adopted the motion and passed several resolutions. The upper chamber urged President Tinubu to immediately implement the planned establishment of a military barracks in the affected part of Katsina State, particularly around Malumfashi and neighbouring areas.
The Senate also called on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the newly established police squadron in the area is properly equipped. Specifically, lawmakers asked that the squadron be provided with at least three Armoured Personnel Carriers to boost its operational capacity.
In addition, the Senate urged all security agencies to sustain coordinated actions aimed at flushing out bandits and other criminal elements from Katsina State and surrounding areas.
Beyond security measures, lawmakers also stressed the need to support victims of the attacks. The Senate mandated the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials to affected communities.
Such assistance, they said, should include food, shelter, and medical support for families who have lost loved ones or been displaced by the violence.
As a mark of respect, the Senate observed a one-minute silence in honour of those killed in the recent attacks.
Katsina State, like many parts of the North-West, has struggled with banditry for several years. Armed groups operating in forests and rural areas have been linked to killings, kidnappings, cattle rustling, and attacks on security personnel.
Despite repeated military operations and joint security efforts, bandit attacks have continued, raising questions about the effectiveness of current strategies.
Residents of affected communities have often complained of slow response times, limited security presence, and poor access to support after attacks. Many have been forced to flee their homes, while others remain trapped in unsafe areas with little help.
The Senate’s intervention reflects growing concern at the national level over the human and economic cost of insecurity. Lawmakers warned that without urgent action, the situation could worsen and further undermine food security and stability in the region.