Bandits Kill Scores In Katsina Daylight Attack As Peace Pact Unravels
By ABDUL AHMED (A. A.) RUFUS
A renewed bandit attack on Doma village in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State has left over 20 people feared dead, casting doubt on the sustainability of peace agreements between rural communities and armed groups in the state.
The attack took place on Tuesday afternoon, when suspected bandits invaded the community and carried out killings and arson for several hours without resistance.
Community Overrun
Local sources said the attackers stormed Doma in large numbers, firing gunshots and terrorising residents. The assailants reportedly remained in the area until late afternoon, burning houses and killing residents before withdrawing.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as families fled their homes, while others were trapped during the prolonged assault.
“This was not a quick attack. They stayed for hours, killing people and burning houses,” a resident said.
Reprisal Attack After Truce
The Chairman of the area, Alhaji Surajo Aliyu-Daudawa, confirmed the incident and said the assault was a reprisal attack, despite an existing peace deal between the community and the bandits.
He described the attack as the deadliest in five months, noting that the community had enjoyed relative peace since the agreement was reached.
According to Daudawa, the bodies of the victims were recovered and moved for burial, with funeral rites scheduled for Wednesday in Tafoki town. He extended condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for peace to return to the area.
Security Response and Official Figure
The Katsina State Police Command, however, confirmed that 13 people were killed, offering a lower casualty figure than residents’ estimates.
In a statement issued by the police spokesperson, DSP Aliyu Abubakar, the command said it received a distress call at about 1400 hours on 3 February 2026, reporting that armed bandits had attacked Doma village.
He said police operatives, working with the military and the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, were immediately deployed but arrived after the attackers had fled.
The latest violence highlights ongoing security challenges in Katsina’s rural communities, where peace deals have provided temporary relief but remain fragile amid recurring attacks.
