No fewer than 24 people have been killed by bandits in separate attacks on Jikamshi and Gwalgoro communities in Musawa and Kankia local government areas, respectively, in Katsina State.
The latest incident occurred on Monday evening at Jikamshi market, where seven people were shot dead as traders were closing for the day. This comes as military neutralised 45 terrorists during a gun battle with bandits terrorising the Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Witnesses said about 15 armed men riding motorcycles stormed the market, opened fire, and looted goods worth millions of naira.
A resident and chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Musawa LGA confirmed that the victims had been buried according to Islamic rites.
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He described the attack as devastating and called for urgent intervention by authorities.
“The scale of the attack is enormous. We believe in the efforts of the state government, but the situation is beyond its control. There must be moral, financial and military support from the federal government,” he said.
Among those killed was Tukur Aliyu, who had just returned from Lagos after attending his daughter’s wedding. Family sources said he left behind three wives, about 20 children and several dependents.
One of his wives, who spoke on condition of anonymity, lamented the family’s uncertain future.
“Our lives are in danger now. He was our breadwinner, struggling to keep the family going. Now he is gone, we don’t know how we will survive,” she said.
Rabi’u Ashiru, 35, a trader dealing in phones and recharge cards, was also killed in his shop at Bakin Kasuwa, Jikamshi. His wedding was scheduled to take place in a few months, it was gathered.
His father, Ashiru Ba Zama, said the loss had left the family devastated.
“We are completely confused. We have lost a pillar of the family. He paid school fees, fed us and catered to our needs. We don’t know what to do,” he said, fighting back tears.
A former member of the Jikamshi security committee, Bilyaminu Abubakar, who recently relocated to Katsina city due to insecurity, described the attacks as a calculated effort to destabilise the region.
“Those who claimed to have repented but did not lay down their arms are still terrorising our communities. Authorities are aware, but nothing tangible is being done,” he alleged.
Another victim of the Jikamshi attack, Umar Salisu, 55, left behind about 16 children and two wives. The family described the attack as the worst thing that had ever happened to them.
Salisu’s wife, Amina, lamented the attack saying the family had been devastated.
“Let me tell you we’re finished; the future of this family is uncertain,” she added.
Salisu’s friend, Nura Jikamshi, called on the authorities to intervene immediately to prevent humanitarian crises. “I want to appeal for support for the families of the deceased,” he said.
