Fresh violence erupted in Katsina State as armed bandits carried out deadly raids in the Gidan Sarki community, Tuge Ward, Musawa Local Government Area, leaving many dead and over 20 people abducted.
The attacks, reported on Monday, also involved the theft of livestock and caused mass displacement, with entire families fleeing for safety. Women, children, and the elderly were seen taking refuge in forests, graveyards, abandoned wells, rooftops, and under trees amid fear of further attacks.
Failure of Peace Deals
The raid came despite an alleged peace agreement between Musawa Local Government stakeholders and armed groups in the area. A security alert platform, Bakatsine, confirmed the attack on Tuesday, highlighting the fragility of such agreements and the inability of these deals to guarantee community safety.
Residents expressed frustration at ongoing attacks, questioning the rationale behind peace deals that fail to prevent violence. Many families remain displaced, and the exact number of casualties could not be verified due to limited access and ongoing insecurity.
This incident adds to a pattern of persistent banditry and mass abductions in Katsina, where authorities have repeatedly assured the public of improved security, yet armed groups continue to terrorise civilians.
As of now, there has been no official statement from the Katsina State government or police regarding the raid or rescue operations for those abducted.
