Bandits Kill 2, Abduct 115 Farmers In Katsina

Suspected armed bandits have reportedly killed two people and abducted about 115 farmers, mostly women and children, in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State in an alleged reprisal attack linked to a breakdown in a recently negotiated peace agreement.

The attack occurred on Saturday afternoon while the victims were harvesting crops on their farmlands, raising fresh concerns about the safety of rural communities despite efforts to restore peace in the area.

A resident of Faskari, who disclosed the incident, said the attackers invaded the farmlands, killed two people and abducted about 115 others.

Human rights advocate, Shamsudeen Faskari, said the attack was allegedly linked to an earlier ambush involving members of the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and some Fulani men transporting ₦6 million in ransom money intended to secure the release of kidnapped victims.

According to him, information attributed to a Fulani leader indicated that the men conveying the money were ambushed by civilian JTF members, allegedly triggering the retaliatory attack on farmers.

Faskari condemned the violence, particularly the abduction of women and children, saying any grievances over the alleged interception should have been taken to local government authorities or other stakeholders involved in the peace negotiations rather than directed at innocent residents.

He expressed concern that the incident had undermined the fragile peace arrangement recently reached with armed groups operating in parts of the local government area.

He said the development exposed weaknesses in the peace process, particularly the lack of effective mechanisms to resolve disputes and prevent retaliatory attacks.

The advocate urged the relevant authorities to review their approach to peace negotiations and develop a framework with clear procedures for addressing grievances, ensuring accountability and protecting vulnerable communities.

He added that lasting peace required stronger safeguards for lives and property rather than agreements that could be undermined by disputes between armed groups and community security volunteers.

The reported abduction has heightened fears among farming households whose livelihoods depend on access to their farmlands during the harvest season. It has also renewed concerns about the risks of kidnapping, displacement and disruption to children’s education in rural Katsina.

However, the circumstances surrounding the alleged interception of the ₦6 million, the motive for the attack and the exact number of abducted victims have not been independently verified.

As of the time of filing this report, the Katsina State Police Command and relevant local government authorities had yet to officially confirm the incident.