At least eleven people have been confirmed dead after armed bandits carried out a retaliatory assault on communities in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Police authorities in the state disclosed that the incident unfolded around 12:00 noon on Sunday, when the attackers regrouped and launched coordinated strikes on Jeka da Kolo and Kwalgoro villages. The assailants reportedly opened fire on residents, killing eleven individuals before security operatives moved in and forced them to retreat.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Umar Fage, denounced the killings, expressing sympathy to families who lost loved ones in the attack.
In a statement issued late Sunday by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, the police boss described the incident as cowardly and barbaric. He directed the immediate launch of an aggressive, intelligence-driven operation to track down and apprehend those responsible, while also ordering the deployment of additional tactical units to the affected communities.
According to the statement, security personnel have intensified bush-combing exercises and coordinated patrols across the area in a bid to locate the fleeing suspects and forestall further violence. Residents were reassured of the Command’s resolve to safeguard lives and property, with assurances that those behind the attack would be brought to justice.
Members of the public were also encouraged to stay alert and cooperate with security agencies by sharing credible information.
“Report suspicious movements to the nearest police station or via the Command’s emergency lines: 0815 697 7777 or 0707 272 2539. Further developments will be communicated in due course,” the statement said.
Police further revealed that the latest violence appears to be a reprisal linked to recent operational gains recorded against bandits in the area.
They recalled that on April 29, 2026, security operatives thwarted a cattle rustling attempt in Gadar Yan Tulu and Kartaka villages, recovering 205 livestock, including 91 cows and 114 sheep.
In a similar operation on May 2, 2026, another planned attack on Matinjin village was foiled, with several bandits fleeing with gunshot wounds while eight operational motorcycles were recovered.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Government also reacted strongly, condemning the killings and describing the targeting of civilians as an act of terror.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, the government sympathised with the bereaved families and urged residents to remain steadfast despite the tragedy.
The government disclosed that intelligence reports had earlier warned of movements by a notorious bandit leader, Mohammadu Fulani, who was said to be advancing toward key locations in Kankia with armed fighters.
It added that local residents alerted security agencies, prompting a swift response led by the Divisional Police Officer in Kankia. A joint security team was said to have intercepted the group, neutralised several of them, and recovered motorcycles along with stolen cattle.
However, authorities noted that the same kingpin later regrouped and led a retaliatory attack around midday on Gwalgoro Village in Gyaza/Kunduru Ward, where eleven people were killed.
The state government commended security forces for their prompt intervention and stressed the importance of sustained cooperation between communities and security agencies.
“That intelligence partnership is what made the first interception possible — and it will continue to save lives,” the statement added.