Four Villagers, Bandits Killed As Residents Repel Katsina Attack

Four residents were killed on Tuesday when bandits attacked Dansarai, a farming community in the Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The attackers, however, suffered casualties as villagers, supported by local vigilantes, fought back and reportedly killed four of the bandits.

Residents who spoke with Daily Trust said the gunmen stormed the community on motorcycles, armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles.

The attackers were said to have opened fire indiscriminately on villagers.

“They were shooting sporadically as they entered the village. Four of our people were killed instantly,” an eyewitness said.

A resident said the community mobilised to confront the attackers, forcing them to abandon their operation.

“Our people stood up to defend themselves. In the confrontation, four of the bandits were neutralised, and the rest were forced to flee,” the resident said.

“They also abandoned their plan to rustle livestock and loot shops and homes,” he added.

The attack also left eight residents injured. A community source said the victims were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

“Some sustained gunshot wounds, while others were injured in the chaos, but they are responding to treatment,” the source said.

Residents alleged that security agencies failed to respond to distress calls before the attackers fled.

“We kept calling for help, but nobody came. We were left to face the situation on our own,” a community leader said.

The residents appealed to the Federal and Katsina State Governments to deploy more security personnel to the eastern axis of Malumfashi, describing the area as increasingly vulnerable to bandit attacks.

“This area has become a soft target for bandits. We need a permanent security presence to protect our lives and livelihoods,” another resident said.