The Katsina State Police Command has confirmed that its officers successfully repelled an attack by suspected bandits on the residence of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Kankara Local Government Area.
According to reliable sources, the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 30, at the Local Education Authority (LEA) Quarters in Kankara town, where the DPO currently resides.
Reports indicate that the armed bandits attempted to sneak into the quarters under the cover of dusk, but their movement was detected by alert police officers stationed at the location.
“The armed bandits tried to sneak into the area but were confronted by policemen on guard duty. The officers engaged them in a gunfight and successfully forced the attackers to retreat into the nearby bush,” a source familiar with the incident said.
No casualties were reported during the exchange of gunfire. The attackers, believed to be part of a larger group operating in the area, reportedly fled the scene after meeting stiff resistance.
Police authorities say that while the motive behind the attempted attack remains unclear, preliminary investigations suggest it may have been a targeted operation against the DPO or an effort to destabilize security operations in the area.
Efforts are currently ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects. Security has since been strengthened in and around Kankara to prevent any further incidents.
A senior officer within the Katsina State Police Command who spoke on condition of anonymity said the situation is under control and normalcy has returned to the area.
“We are on top of the matter. Our men responded swiftly and professionally. There is no cause for alarm,” he assured.
Kankara Local Government Area, located in the southwestern part of Katsina State, has been one of the flashpoints in the state’s ongoing battle with armed banditry. The area made national headlines in December 2020, when over 300 schoolboys were abducted from the Government Science Secondary School in a late-night raid. The boys were later released after several days in captivity.
Since then, the region has continued to witness occasional attacks and kidnappings by criminal gangs operating in the forests that stretch across Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna states.
Security agencies, including the police and military, have increased patrols and launched operations in the region. However, challenges remain due to the difficult terrain and the mobility of the attackers, who often operate on motorcycles.
Friday’s attempted attack has once again raised concerns about the safety of security personnel and the boldness of armed groups operating in the region.
Residents of Kankara have commended the police for their quick response and called for continued vigilance.
“We thank the police for standing their ground. We just want peace in this area,” a local community leader said.
As of the time of this report, the Katsina State Police Command is yet to release an official public statement, but a full investigation into the incident is underway.
