At least 50 people have now been confirmed killed in last week’s bandits’ attacks on villages in the Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State.
Recall that the bandits opened fire on worshippers at a mosque and set others ablaze.
Aminu Ibrahim, who represents Malumfashi constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly, confirmed the death toll to his colleagues at Tuesday’s plenary session.
According to him, “Thirty people were gunned down during morning prayers, and another 20 were burned alive in their homes. Our people can no longer live in their villages because of these relentless attacks. The situation has become unbearable”.
The lawmaker disclosed that the attacks took place across several communities – Gidan Adamu Mantau, Unguwar Yar Mai-Dabo, Maƙera in Karfi ward, and Burdigau, in Yaba ward – between Monday night and Tuesday morning. Villagers said gunmen swept through on motorbikes, firing at anyone in sight.
Following the attacks, the Katsina state government sent a delegation, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Faskari, to condole with the bereaved families.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, who is on medical leave, Faskari called the killings a “deeply painful and heartbreaking tragedy”. “Our hearts are with the families who lost their loved ones in this senseless attack. The administration remains committed to strengthening security and restoring peace”, he stated.
On Wednesday, the state’s Acting Governor, Faruk Jobe, met with the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa in Abuja, to press for stronger military support.
The massacre comes amid a wave of rural violence in the North-West region, where armed gangs – often referred to as bandits – have terrorised farming communities through kidnappings, extortion and mass killings. Thousands have been killed in recent years, and tens of thousands forced to flee their homes.
