Katsina, Nigeria – January 6, 2026 – In a shocking escalation of violence in Nigeria’s North-West, armed bandits carried out a series of coordinated attacks on multiple communities in Katsina State late Monday night, leaving several residents dead, injured, and abducted.
SUNTV Global Channel gathered that the heavily armed assailants invaded Unguwar Alhaji Barau, Gidan Dan Mai-gizo, and Gidan Hazo communities, all situated in Na’alma Ward of Malumfashi Local Government Area. Eyewitnesses described the attackers as moving in groups, operating for several hours, and targeting residents indiscriminately. Panic spread through the communities as terrified families fled their homes, leaving behind property and livestock.
According to local sources, these attacks come despite multiple assurances from security agencies and state authorities that efforts to curb violence and banditry in Katsina are ongoing. Residents, however, say they continue to live in fear as violent raids and kidnappings have become frequent occurrences in the area.
Security expert Malam Bakatsine confirmed the attacks to SUNTV Global Channel, noting that the violence persisted even after peace agreements were recently brokered between local authorities and armed groups operating in the region. “The bandits seem undeterred by previous negotiations,” Bakatsine said. “This underscores the challenge of implementing sustainable security measures in rural Katsina.”
This latest incident follows a similar attack on Sunday, January 4, in Unguwar Daudu community, Dukke Ward of Funtua Local Government Area. During that attack, two residents were reportedly injured, and no fewer than 20 people were abducted by the assailants. These repeated raids have caused mass displacement, with many residents fleeing to neighboring towns and villages to seek safety.
Katsina State has long been one of Nigeria’s hotspots for violent banditry, kidnappings, and rural attacks. Analysts warn that without robust intervention from federal and state security agencies, communities in the North-West remain highly vulnerable to such brutal assaults.
As of the time of this report, security agencies have not issued an official statement on the incident, and the exact number of casualties and abducted residents remains unclear. Authorities have, however, vowed to deploy additional security personnel to the affected areas and intensify intelligence operations to apprehend the perpetrators.
Residents of the affected communities are calling for urgent government intervention, stressing that repeated attacks are taking a heavy toll on the socio-economic wellbeing of the region. Local farmers, traders, and families are particularly vulnerable, with livelihoods disrupted and communities living in constant fear of future raids.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to follow this story closely and provide updates as more information becomes available from security agencies and local authorities.
