Suspected bandits have attacked a wedding convoy in Unguwar Nagunda community, Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing at least two people and abducting several guests.
The attack, which occurred on Sunday night, left many others injured, including the bride. Residents reported hearing heavy gunfire as the assailants stormed the community, triggering panic and confusion. As of Monday morning, families were still trying to determine the exact number of people taken away by the attackers.
A security source confirmed the incident, noting that the bandits arrived late at night and opened fire before abducting an unspecified number of wedding guests.
Efforts to get an official response from the Katsina State Police Command proved unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, did not respond to calls or messages at the time of filing this report.
The attack comes amid controversy surrounding the state government’s plan to release 70 detained suspected bandits as part of a peace agreement with armed groups operating in the state. The government has defended the initiative, saying it is aimed at strengthening an “existing peace” arrangement and has already led to the release of about 1,000 abducted persons across banditry-affected communities.
Earlier this month, a classified letter dated January 2, 2026, and issued by the Ministry of Justice, revealed plans to facilitate the release of suspects currently standing trial for banditry-related offences. Addressed to the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Musa Abubakar, the letter sought the intervention of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee to enable the release of the detainees as a condition for sustaining the peace deal.
The document, signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Abdur-Rahman Umar, stated that a list of 48 suspects had been submitted by the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, with an additional list of about 22 inmates facing trial in various high courts also recommended for release under the same arrangement.
The government has maintained that such measures are commonly adopted in conflict situations worldwide, insisting that the strategy is necessary to restore lasting peace in Katsina State.
