By Ayomide Otitoju
No fewer than eleven persons have been killed following a reprisal attack by suspected bandits on Jeka da Kolo and Kwalgoro villages in Katsina State.
The Katsina State Police Command confirmed that the attack occurred on Sunday around 12:00 noon when the armed men regrouped and stormed the communities, shooting indiscriminately before being repelled by police tactical teams.
In a statement issued on Sunday night, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Umar Fage, condemned the incident, describing it as “cowardly and barbaric,” while extending condolences to the families of the victims.
He said the police had launched an intelligence-led manhunt for the perpetrators and deployed additional tactical units to the affected areas.
According to the statement, security operatives have intensified bush-combing operations and coordinated patrols aimed at tracking down fleeing suspects and preventing further attacks. Residents were also urged to remain calm, vigilant, and report suspicious movements to security agencies.
The command noted that the attack followed recent security operations in the area, including the foiling of a cattle rustling attempt on April 29, 2026, during which 205 animals were recovered, as well as another failed attack on May 2, 2026, where bandits were repelled and motorcycles recovered.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Government also condemned the killings, describing the incident as an act of terror targeting innocent civilians.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, the government said intelligence reports had earlier indicated movement of a suspected bandit kingpin, identified as Mohammadu Fulani, toward Kankia with intent to carry out attacks.
It said a joint security team successfully intercepted the armed group during an earlier engagement, neutralising several suspects and recovering rustled livestock and motorcycles, before a subsequent retaliatory strike led to the killings in Gwalgoro Village.
The government commended security operatives for their swift response and urged continued collaboration between communities and security agencies to strengthen intelligence sharing and improve security across affected areas.
