Two communities in Katsina State came under heavy attack by armed bandits on Friday night, leaving several people dead, many injured, and others abducted. The attacks occurred in Magaji Wando and Jabiri communities, both located in the troubled North-Western region of Nigeria that has seen rising insecurity in recent years.
An eyewitness account shared online described the incident in Magaji Wando as particularly brutal. According to the source, heavily armed men stormed the community late Friday night, shooting at residents, killing some, injuring others, and taking several people away.
“Yesterday night, bandits stormed Magaji Wando community in Katsina State, killing, injuring, and abducting several residents,” the eyewitness wrote.
The situation worsened when the Civilian Watch Committee (CWC) attempted to evacuate the injured to safety. As they were moving the wounded out of the area, the bandits ambushed the rescue team, setting their vehicle and another car on fire. Tragically, all the injured residents inside the vehicles were killed during the second assault.
The exact number of casualties has not been officially confirmed by the authorities as of the time of filing this report, but local residents say the death toll is significant.
In a separate but related attack, another group of bandits struck Jabiri community, also in Katsina State, on the same night. They abducted a young man and made away with several cattle.
Security forces reportedly responded to the Jabiri attack swiftly. Troops engaged the attackers in a gunfight, forcing them to retreat. Heavy rainfall in the area also helped to slow down the attackers, allowing for a more effective response from security teams.
Despite these efforts, the bandits still managed to escape with the kidnapped youth and stolen livestock. Local sources said the community is still in shock, and many residents are now fleeing to safer areas for fear of another attack.
Katsina State, like many other states in the North-West, has been struggling with persistent attacks by armed groups commonly referred to as bandits. These groups have been responsible for killings, kidnappings, and mass displacement of residents over the past few years.
Efforts by both state and federal authorities, including military operations and community vigilante groups, have had limited success in stopping the wave of violence. The latest attacks show that the threat remains serious and that rural communities continue to be the most vulnerable.
Reacting to the situation, local residents have called for more protection and quicker government action. “We are tired of living in fear. These attacks keep happening, and we are the ones dying,” said a community leader who pleaded for anonymity due to fear of reprisals.
So far, the Katsina State government and the Nigerian Army have not released official statements on the latest incidents. However, sources say military patrols have been increased in the affected areas to prevent further attacks.
This latest violence adds to the long list of security challenges Nigeria is currently facing, including terrorism in the Northeast, herder-farmer clashes in the Middle Belt, and growing cases of kidnapping for ransom across the country.
As families mourn their loved ones and others live in fear, the question on many lips remains: When will this end?
