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Bandits have reportedly killed a vigilante leader during an attack on Gora Village in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, triggering protests that led to the temporary blockade of the Malumfashi–Katsina highway for several hours.
The Katsina State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq.
According to the police, a distress call was received at the Malumfashi Divisional Police Headquarters at about 10:00 am on Wednesday, reporting that armed bandits had invaded Gora Village.
The statement said the Divisional Police Officer immediately mobilised and led a team of operatives to the scene, where they successfully repelled the attackers and foiled the assault.
However, before the arrival of the security team, the bandits fatally shot the community’s vigilante leader, Alhaji Nuhu Barau.
The statement read, “On July 15, 2026, at about 10:00 am, a distress call was received at Malumfashi Division that a group of armed bandits had attacked Gora Village, Malumfashi LGA. Upon receipt of the report, the DPO swiftly mobilised and led a team of operatives to the scene. The team successfully repelled the bandits and foiled the attack.
“Regrettably, before the arrival of the operatives, the assailants fatally shot one Alhaji Nuhu Barau, a local vigilante leader. Surveillance and patrols have been intensified in the area to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspects.
“Later that same day, at about 5:00 pm, another distress call was received at Malumfashi Division indicating that an angry mob had blocked a section of the Malumfashi–Katsina highway, disrupting the free flow of traffic.
“Quickly, the DPO, Malumfashi, led police operatives alongside military personnel to the scene. Despite facing resistance from the barricading crowd, the team successfully brought the situation under control, cleared the highway and dispersed the mob without further escalation.
“While normalcy has been fully restored to the area, no arrests have been made yet. However, an investigation is ongoing with a view to arresting the fleeing assailants and unravelling the circumstances surrounding the incidents.”
Sadiq reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
“While the Command deeply sympathises with the community, it strongly cautions members of the public against taking the law into their own hands. Members of the public are urged to channel all grievances through the appropriate channels,” he added.
Meanwhile, local sources said the attack claimed the lives of the vigilante leader and another resident in Gidan Barau village, while protesters reportedly blocked the Malumfashi–Katsina highway for about four hours before security personnel dispersed the crowd.
The police, however, officially confirmed only the death of Alhaji Nuhu Barau and said investigations into the incident were ongoing.
