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Eleven people have been killed in Gwalgoro village of Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State following a reprisal attack by suspected bandits, hours after security forces succeeded in foiling an earlier assault and neutralised several members of the gang.
The Katsina State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Commissioner, Nasiru Mu’azu.
The commissioner expressed condolences to the families of the victims and condemned the attack.
According to the statement, the violence began on May 2, 2026, when intelligence reports revealed that a notorious bandit leader, identified as Mohammadu Fulani, was leading armed men towards key bridges in Kankia Local Government Areq with suspected criminal intent.
Upon receiving the information, members of the community alerted security agencies.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Kankia subsequently mobilised and led a joint security team to intercept the attackers.
Security operatives engaged the bandits in a confrontation, neutralising several of them and recovering eight motorcycles as well as rustled cattle.
The statement said the recovered items are currently in police custody.
According to the commissioner, the bandits later regrouped and, in apparent retaliation for the losses suffered, launched a fresh attack on Gwalgoro village in Gyaza/Kunduru Ward at about noon the same day.
During the attack, 11 residents were killed in what the government described as a “cowardly assault on innocent civilians.”
The state government condemned the killings in strong terms, describing the targeting of civilians as unacceptable and an act of terror.
It commended the security forces for their swift response in thwarting the initial attack and urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information to security agencies.
The commissioner also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling insecurity and safeguarding lives and property across the state.
