Fresh Katsina Attack Claims Lives of Two Community Elders
In a brutal assault that has cast serious doubt on recent peace efforts, armed bandits stormed Doguwar Dorawa village in Katsina State's Bakori Local Government Area on Thursday night, killing two respected community elders. The attack, which occurred despite a recently signed peace accord between the Katsina State Government and armed groups, has left residents terrified and questioning the agreement's effectiveness.
Details of the Deadly Night Raid
According to eyewitness accounts, the gunmen arrived around 10 p.m. on Thursday, hiding their motorcycles in nearby bushes before advancing on foot toward the quiet farming settlement near Guga. The assault lasted for more than an hour as the attackers moved through the community, targeting homes and shops while stealing valuables and abducting several residents.
The victims were identified as brothers Alhaji Bishir and Alhaji Surajo, both described by locals as men of integrity who played crucial roles in mediating disputes and supporting community welfare. A local elder, Mahadi Danbinta Guga, confirmed the men were killed in cold blood during the prolonged attack.
Peace Agreement Collapses Amid Renewed Violence
The deadly incident has reignited public skepticism about the peace accord signed just last month by authorities in Bakori, Malumfashi, and Funtua with bandit groups. Residents expressed outrage over the continued violence, with many now believing the truce has completely collapsed.
Local sources suspect the attackers are followers of notorious bandit leaders Idi Abasu Aiki and Kwashen Garwa, whose gangs have carried out multiple deadly raids in Bakori and surrounding communities. While Doguwar Dorawa was under siege, another nearby settlement, Layin ‘Yannehu, was also attacked, resulting in the theft of several livestock.
This latest violence forms part of a disturbing pattern of attacks in the region. In recent weeks, similar raids have been recorded in Ganjar, Alhazawa, and Gidan Nagari, where over 40 people have been abducted and numerous families displaced from their homes.
Broader Security Context in Northwest Nigeria
The attack in Bakori LGA occurs against a backdrop of ongoing security challenges across northwest Nigeria. In a related development, 62 kidnap victims recently escaped captivity in Katsina's Danmusa Local Government Area after Nigerian Air Force airstrikes targeted the camp of notorious bandit leader Muhammadu Fulani around Jigawa Sawai.
The military operation, which took place on Saturday evening, created chaos among the criminal gang, allowing hostages who had been held for over a month to escape. According to officials, twelve of the freed victims are receiving medical treatment at Matazu General Hospital, while another sixteen are being cared for at the Army Forward Operating Base in Kaiga Malamai.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Zamfara State, a tragic incident saw at least 35 abductees killed
As of press time, neither the Katsina State Government nor the Bakori Local Government Council had issued an official statement regarding the latest attack in Doguwar Dorawa, leaving residents in a state of fear and uncertainty about their security.
