Bandits Kill, Abduct Several Residents In Katsina
Witnesses report that dozens were killed, women raped, and over 50 people abducted without any intervention from security forces.
Residents of Funtua in Katsina State were thrown into mourning following a brazen and prolonged attack by bandits that lasted over 24 hours.
Witnesses report that dozens were killed, women raped, and over 50 people abducted without any intervention from security forces.
The attackers stormed the town —considered one of the major urban centres in Katsina State — on Sunday, moving from house to house as frightened residents fled into nearby bushes.
SaharaReporters was told that the entire community now lives in fear, mourning the dead and searching for missing loved ones.
The incident comes amid growing insecurity across the northwest, where banditry, mass abductions, and killings had become regular occurrences.
Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Niger States have recorded hundreds of deaths and kidnappings in recent months, with schools and major highways becoming soft targets.
Many affected communities also complain of the lack of timely or adequate response from security agencies.
According to Idris4peace, a journalist, and expert in peace, security, governance, human rights, and conflict: “Bandits spent over 24hrs in my hometown (Funtua) yesterday killing people, raped women and kidnapped over 50 people and no any response from the authorities.”
“What is going on with this country?”
“Media has limited access to what is happening in the northwest compared to the northeast.”
The area has seen a sharp rise in insecurity, often with little to no media coverage or government response, as the insurgency in the northeast continues to receive more national and international attention.
Local leaders and civil society groups have repeatedly called on the federal government to prioritise security in the region, noting that the situation has left communities defenceless and traumatised.
As of press time, Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Katsina State command didn’t respond to calls for injuries about the incident.
Bandits spent over 24hrs in my hometown (Funtua) yesterday killing people, raped women and kidnapped over 50 people and no any response from the authorities. What is going on with this country? Media has limited access to what is happening in the northwest compared to northeast pic.twitter.com/xCGFEPYFKP
— Idris4Peace (@Edrees4P) April 7, 2025
