By Mu’azu Hassan
Culled from Katsina Times
A report by Katsina Times has suggested that the recent attack on Jikamshi town in Musawa Local Government Area of Katsina State may have been triggered by a dispute over cattle allegedly seized by soldiers.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, March 10, left several properties destroyed and at least three residents dead, according to earlier accounts by community members.
In a follow-up investigation, Katsina Times reported that sources familiar with developments in the area identified a bandit commander known as Muhammadu as the suspected leader of the group that carried out the attack. The newspaper noted that the claim is based on information gathered from local sources and intermediaries involved in ongoing peace efforts in the Musawa–Matazu axis.
According to the report, Muhammadu is said to be among armed group leaders who previously embraced a peace arrangement with communities in parts of the area. Sources told the newspaper that he had reportedly played a role in discouraging attacks within some communities and in preventing armed groups from extending operations toward neighbouring Kano State.
The investigation further indicated that the dispute may have been linked to cattle taken to the Jikamshi market a day before the attack.
Sources cited by Katsina Times alleged that the animals were sent to the market by associates of the same armed group leader for sale. The sources claimed that soldiers later arrived and seized the cattle and detained some of the individuals who brought them to the market.
According to the newspaper, the soldiers involved were said by local sources to have come from neighbouring Kano State, although this claim has not been independently verified by authorities in either state.
Some community members reportedly believe the attack on Jikamshi may have been carried out in retaliation, based on a suspicion by the armed group that residents had alerted the soldiers who seized the cattle.
Despite the violence, Katsina Times reported that mediators involved in the local peace initiative say the ceasefire arrangement between communities and armed groups in the area is still in place.
Sources quoted by the newspaper said the suspected leader had reportedly assured intermediaries that he remained committed to the peace agreement and would continue to cooperate with efforts aimed at sustaining stability in the area.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies and the Katsina State Government had not issued an official statement confirming the claims contained in the report.
The attack on Jikamshi has nevertheless heightened concerns among residents about the fragility of ongoing peace arrangements in parts of Katsina State affected by banditry.
