Bandits have killed at least 42 people in multiple attacks on various villages in Zamfara and Katsina states,Daily Trust reports.
In Zamfara State, 12 people, including seven policemen, were killed on Thursday in Magarya village in the Zurmi Local Government Area. Among the victims were a member of the Zamfara State Community Guards, known as Askarawan Zamfara, and four residents of the village.
The Commissioner of Police in Zamfara State, Muhammad Shehu Dalijan, confirmed the killings to Daily Trust last night. According to him, about 300 bandits stormed the village on motorbikes, surrounded the police officers, and opened fire, resulting in seven deaths and several injuries. Dalijan noted that the bandits were retaliating against the police for thwarting their activities over the past two years. He assured that additional police personnel would be deployed to the area.
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A resident, Muhammad Yusuf, reported that the attack occurred at 5:10 AM while people were preparing for morning prayers. The bandits burned two houses, a car, and many silos, and rustled three camels and some cattle, but did not abduct anyone. Yusuf stated that this was the fourth attack on the village, with the first occurring two years after the deployment of the mobile police unit.
Another resident, Ibrahim Shehu, mentioned that many villagers had fled due to fears of further attacks, some moving to Gusau, the state capital, and others to nearby towns. He expressed the villagers’ terror, noting that only a few remained in the village.
In Katsina State, different groups of bandits killed at least 30 people in attacks on villages in Dutsinma and Safana Local Government Areas. The affected villages include Tashar Kawai Mai Zurfi, Sabon Gari Unguwar Banza, Dogon Ruwa, Sanawar Kurecen Dutsi, Unguwar Bera, Kuricin Kulawa, Larabar Tashar Mangoro, Sabaru, Ashata, Unguwar Ido, Kanbiri, Kunamawar Mai Awaki, and Kunamawar ‘Yargandu. The bandits launched another attack on Dogon Ruwa, ‘Yar Kuka, Rimi, Lezumawa, and other villages, forcing residents to flee to Dutsinma town and Turare village. When contacted, the spokesman for the Katsina State Police Command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, promised to respond but did not.
Recent bandit attacks have also been reported in Batsari, Kankara, Malumfashi, and Faskari local government areas.
In response to the escalating violence, the Senate has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review the security strategy in the North West and North Central geopolitical zones. The Senate also urged the establishment of a task force to secure farmlands and recommended enhanced collaboration between security agencies, state governments, local communities, traditional leaders, and stakeholders to improve intelligence and security operations.
Senator Nasiru Sani Zangon Daura (Katsina North) and 10 other North West senators highlighted the severe impact of banditry on lives, livelihoods, and socio-economic activities. They noted that despite significant funds allocated by state governments to support security operations, the results have been inadequate.
Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South) called for a state of emergency in the North West to enable a comprehensive military approach to the insecurity, stressing that the ongoing violence threatens food production. Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) emphasized the need for decisive action and recommended that the Senate leadership engage with the President on this issue.
Senator Muntari Dandutse (Katsina South) reported that 122 people were killed in four local government areas in his senatorial district within one week. He criticized the lack of coordination among security agencies and called for political will to address the crisis. Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) suggested that the President should have secured commitments from service chiefs on a timeline to end the insecurity before their appointments.
The Senate also adopted a motion by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), seconded by Senator Emmanuel Udende (Benue North East), to apply all security resolutions for the North West to the North Central region as well.
