Bandits Breach Peace Deal in Katsina, Leaving Nine Dead and 13 Injured
In a tragic escalation of violence, gunmen suspected to be bandits have launched a deadly assault on communities in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State. The attack, which occurred late Thursday night, resulted in the deaths of nine individuals and left 13 others with various injuries. This incident starkly contradicts a recent peace agreement that had brought relative calm to the area for the past five months.
Details of the Attack on Kauran Fawa and Unguwar Jika
The gunmen targeted the Kauran Fawa and Unguwar Jika communities, along with neighboring villages, in a coordinated strike. According to a local resident who requested anonymity for safety reasons, the bandits approached on foot after leaving their motorcycles hidden in the bush. "They began shooting sporadically to announce their presence, catching many residents off guard as most had already retired for the day," the source explained. During the chaos, nine people were killed, and 13 sustained injuries, with victims promptly taken to hospital for treatment.
In addition to the casualties, the bandits initially abducted 10 individuals. However, due to pressure from local security operatives, nine of these victims have since been released, leaving only one person still in captivity. The executive chairman of Dandume Council, Hon. Bishir Gyazama, confirmed the incident and expressed deep sorrow over the breach of peace. "I attended the burial of five of the deceased, conducted according to Islamic rites," he stated, highlighting the personal toll of the attack.
Peace Agreement Shattered Amid Rising Tensions
Hon. Gyazama lamented that this violence comes just five months after the council entered into a peace agreement with repentant bandits. "We had witnessed relative peace during this period, with no attacks until now. Previously, bandits were attacking communities daily," he noted. The chairman assured that measures are being implemented to prevent future incidents, but the attack underscores the fragility of such agreements in the region.
This latest incident follows a series of recent bandit activities in Katsina State. Less than a week prior, attacks in Faskari, Funtua, and Matazu council areas resulted in two deaths and the abduction of dozens. These events are part of a broader context involving a peace deal between security-prone areas and repentant bandits, which had led to the release of 1,000 abducted victims to their families.
Controversy Over Reciprocal Release of Suspected Bandits
As part of the peace agreement, the state government was supposed to reciprocate by releasing 70 suspected and convicted bandits. However, this planned release has faced significant criticism from stakeholders, and delays may be linked to the recent surge in attacks. Sources suggest that the bandits' actions could be a response to the government's hesitation in fulfilling its side of the deal, raising questions about the sustainability of such negotiations.
The situation in Katsina remains tense, with communities on high alert as authorities work to reinforce security measures. This attack serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing challenges in combating banditry and maintaining peace in Nigeria's northern regions.
