No fewer than 24 people were killed in separate bandit attacks in Musawa and Kankia local government areas of Katsina State. On Monday evening, seven people were shot dead at Jikamshi market in Musawa LGA as traders closed shop. About 15 armed men on motorcycles stormed the area, opened fire, and looted goods worth millions of naira. Among the dead was Tukur Aliyu, who had just returned from Lagos after attending his daughter's wedding. He left behind three wives, about 20 children and several dependents. Rabi'u Ashiru, 35, a phone and recharge card trader, was killed in his shop at Bakin Kasuwa. His wedding had been scheduled for a few months ahead. His father, Ashiru Ba Zama, said the family had lost its pillar.
Umar Salisu, 55, another victim, left behind about 16 children and two wives. His wife, Amina, said the family was devastated and their future uncertain. Bilyaminu Abubakar, a former member of the Jikamshi security committee, blamed ongoing insecurity on repentant bandits who did not surrender arms. He said authorities were aware but had taken no tangible action. In Kankia LGA, 17 people were reportedly killed in Gwalgoro village over the weekend. The state government confirmed 11 deaths following a reprisal by bandits after security forces foiled an earlier attack. The state commissioner for internal security, Nasiru Mu'azu, said victims included a motorcyclist, a driver, a woman and a young child. A community source said members of the Community Watch Corps killed one attacker, but his body was retrieved by accomplices.
The Katsina State government says 11 died in Gwalgoro, but residents insist 17 were buried, exposing a disconnect in official accounts. When authorities downplay casualty figures, public trust in official narratives erodes further. Families of victims like Tukur Aliyu and Umar Salisu are left without support systems. The state's failure to align its numbers with community reports deepens the sense of abandonment.
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