Barely days after about 50 armed bandits raided several communities in Kebbi State, terror has struck again—this time in neighbouring Katsina State—where at least 24 farmers have been killed in fresh attacks across rural communities.
Local sources confirmed that the gunmen, believed to be part of the same network of armed groups operating in the region, stormed farmlands in the early hours of Wednesday, opening fire on farmers who were cultivating their crops. Several others were reportedly abducted*, and a large number of cattle and other livestock were rustled during the coordinated assaults.
The attacks occurred in communities within Faskari, Danmusa, and Safana Local Government Areas, regions that have long been vulnerable to such violence.
“They came on motorcycles while people were working on their farms,” said a resident of Safana who spoke under anonymity for fear of reprisal. “They didn’t ask questions. They just started shooting. We counted over 20 bodies before the soldiers arrived.”
According to community leaders, some of the abducted individuals include women and teenagers who had gone to assist their families on the farms.
This latest tragedy adds to the growing wave of insecurity plaguing Nigeria’s northwestern states, where rural farming communities continue to bear the brunt of banditry, cattle rustling, and kidnapping-for-ransom operations.
The Katsina State Government has yet to issue an official statement, but sources within the state emergency response team confirmed that efforts are underway to recover bodies and coordinate search operations for the abducted victims.
