No fewer than 11 people have been killed in a retaliatory attack by suspected bandits in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State, even as security forces earlier repelled an attempted operation by the same group, killing several of the assailants and recovering motorcycles and rustled cattle.
The incident occurred on Saturday, May 2, 2026, following intelligence reports that a notorious bandit leader, Muhammadu Fulani, had mobilised armed fighters towards strategic locations in the area.
Acting on the information, the Divisional Police Officer in Kankia led a joint security team to intercept the group. Security operatives engaged the bandits in a gun battle, neutralising several of them and recovering eight motorcycles along with stolen livestock.
Authorities described the interception as a significant operational success, with the recovered motorcycles now in police custody.
However, hours later, the same group of bandits reportedly launched a reprisal attack on Gwalgoro village in the Gyaza/Kunduru Ward of the local government area.
The attackers stormed the community around midday, killing 11 residents in what officials described as a deliberate and violent assault on civilians.
Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, condemned the attack, describing it as an act of terror against innocent people.
He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and praised security personnel for their swift response in the earlier operation.
The commissioner also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely intelligence to security agencies, noting that community cooperation played a key role in the initial success against the bandits.
The development comes amid ongoing efforts by the administration of Dikko Umaru Radda to combat banditry and restore peace across affected communities in the state.
