Again, bandits kill 5 Katsina security operatives

Five operatives of the Community Watch Corps (CWC) have been killed in a deadly ambush by bandits in Maharba Village, Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, on Friday led a high-level security delegation to the area for an on-the-spot assessment and to review ongoing security operations.

Among the slain operatives was the CWC Commander, Mallam Sanusi.

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It was gathered that the personnel were on a reinforcement mission when they were ambushed at a stream crossing by about 20 armed bandits on motorcycles.

According to a statement from the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula, the attackers had concealed themselves in nearby mango trees and later set the security team’s Hilux vehicle ablaze.

The vehicle was still smouldering when Governor Radda arrived at the scene.

The governor was accompanied by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Danmusa; the State Commissioner of Police; the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS); Chief of Staff Alhaji Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; and other top security officials.

He was received at the scene by the Matazu Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Shamsudeen Sayaya.

Radda vows to review security strategies

Addressing journalists, Governor Radda condemned the attack as “a heartbreaking loss to the state” and pledged to strengthen security measures.

“We are here not just to assess the damage, but to ensure such an attack never happens again. Our security architecture will be reviewed and reinforced. We owe it to these brave men and their families,” he said.

Dr Danmusa emphasised that the visit was part of a broader strategy to better understand the evolving nature of banditry and to devise stronger countermeasures.

“This visit is critical for deploying new tactics to safeguard our communities, especially in high-risk areas,” he said, urging residents to remain patient and prayerful.

Governor Radda also met with affected residents, offering condolences and reassurances.

He pledged continued collaboration with security agencies and community stakeholders to enhance intelligence gathering and operational response.

The visit concluded with a prayer for the souls of the fallen operatives and comfort for their families.

The late Commander, Mallam Sanusi, was responsible for coordinating security operations across Kusada, Kankia, and parts of Charanci LGAs.

His team had responded to intelligence about a large group of bandits moving toward villages in Matazu, but they were ambushed at a stream crossing by around 20 armed bandits hiding in mango trees.

Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasiru Muazu Danmusa, confirmed that the state is experiencing a resurgence of attacks.

However, he noted that the government is responding with appropriate force, citing the elimination of 21 bandits by the military in the Ruwan Godiya axis on Friday as a significant victory.

“The visit of the state governor to the scene where the five men of the community security watch corps were ambushed and killed by the bandits was to see for himself, and for the ministry to evaluate and make an assessment of what happened,” he said.

According to him, the assessment will enable the government to adopt further strategies to protect the lives and property of members of the communities.

Dr Danmusa appealed to people in the state to support the government with prayers and exercise patience as it strives to restore peace in the state.

In the past three days, Katsina has witnessed multiple incidents of banditry in Dutsinma and Danmusa LGAs.

In one such incident, bandits reportedly killed CWC operatives near Gobirawa, a village where 19 people were killed less than two weeks ago.

There are reports that some bandits may be blending in with locals in Maharba to carry out their attacks.

Other affected communities include Rugar Gyada, Kanawa Garhi, Badole, and several villages across Dutsinma and Danmusa LGAs.

In another incident, a community leader, Alhaji Amadi, was abducted from his farm on Saturday.

Efforts to reach his family were unsuccessful as calls to the provided contact number failed to connect at the time of filing this report.

Special prayer for peace

A special prayer session was held on Sunday at the Katsina State Government House to seek Allah’s mercy for peace, unity, and an end to insecurity in the state.

The session was led by Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru Usman Bauchi, son of the esteemed Tijjaniyya leader, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi. The prayer was part of a courtesy visit to Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, aimed at offering spiritual support amidst the security challenges facing the state.

The delegation comprised over 50 members of the Tijjaniyya movement, including respected elders, followers, and Sheikh Ibrahim’s brothers.

The visit was coordinated by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Darika Matters, Malam Mahi Muhammad Bello.

Alongside prayers for peace and security, Sheikh Ibrahim also offered special supplications for the soul of the governor’s late mother, Hajiya Safarau.

Governor Radda warmly received the delegation and expressed deep appreciation for their visit and prayers. He described the moment as emotionally significant and commended their unwavering commitment to peace and spiritual guidance. He also prayed for their safe return home.

Present at the event were the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; Chairman of the State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Kabir Bature; Sarkin Alhazai; Special Assistant on Darika Sect; Senior Special Assistant on Support Groups, Aminu Ubale Funtua; and other senior aides.