A senior police officer, CSP Muhammad Sani Sagir, was killed in an ambush by suspected bandits in Magaji community, Majen-Gobir ward, Rimi Local Government Area, Katsina State, on Friday morning.
The officer and his team were reportedly responding to a distress call concerning cattle rustling in the area when the attack occurred. Security sources said the operatives tracked the suspects into a nearby forest in an effort to recover the stolen livestock.
The team came under heavy gunfire during the operation. CSP Sagir sustained severe injuries and later died, while three others—including police operatives and a woman—were wounded. Bandits allegedly fled the scene with additional cattle and livestock.
According to local sources, one of the suspected bandits was killed during the gunfight, and some of the rustled animals were recovered by security forces. The injured have been taken to a hospital for treatment, and a manhunt has been launched to apprehend the fleeing attackers.
Security analysts described the killing as a stark reminder of the ongoing insecurity in northern Nigeria, highlighting the risks faced by security personnel when responding to distress calls in rural communities plagued by cattle rustling and banditry.
Experts warned that without improved intelligence gathering, better equipment, and community cooperation, such ambushes may continue, undermining efforts to restore peace in affected areas.
The incident has renewed concerns about the frequency of bandit attacks in the Northwest and the vulnerability of both residents and security operatives. Cattle rustling remains a significant driver of violence in rural communities, often escalating into deadly confrontations.
Residents are calling for a stronger security presence and proactive measures to curb the activities of armed groups in forested areas.
The Katsina State Police Command has not yet released an official statement regarding the attack.
