Suspected armed bandits have killed two persons and a police officer during coordinated attacks in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The incident occurred on April 5, 2026, when the assailants, reportedly in large numbers and armed with sophisticated weapons, blocked the Karadua–Musawa Road and opened fire on a passing Volkswagen Golf vehicle, killing two occupants on the spot.
Security sources said a joint response team comprising personnel of the Nigeria Police, the military, Katsina State Community Watch Corps, and local vigilantes was immediately deployed to the scene. The team engaged the attackers, forcing them to retreat, and evacuated the victims to a nearby hospital.
The bandits later regrouped and launched an attack on the Matazu Divisional Police Headquarters but were repelled by officers on duty. During the exchange, one police officer was killed.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday, noting that additional security assets have since been deployed to the area to prevent further attacks.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, condoled with the families of the victims and the fallen officer, assuring residents that efforts were underway to track down and apprehend those responsible.
He also urged members of the public to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies as operations to secure the area intensify.
Authorities said investigations into the attacks are ongoing, with further updates to be communicated as developments unfold.
