Bandits on Tuesday attacked Farun Bala, Falale, and Kadobe villages in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing 15 people and injuring several others.
The incident occurred one year after peace had returned to the communities following a community-led agreement with bandits who had terrorised residents across several local government areas in the state.
A senior local government official in Jibia, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attack was triggered by an earlier confrontation between local vigilantes and repentant bandits.
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According to the official, the suspected bandits were reportedly moving through the area with cattle believed to have been stolen when they were intercepted by local security operatives.
He explained that during the confrontation that followed, three of the suspects were allegedly killed.
"What happened was unfortunate. This was an area that had started enjoying peace after long negotiations. But the actions of some local security operatives may have ignited this fresh violence," he said.
He added that after the killing of the three bandits, armed men regrouped and returned to Kadobe, Farun Bala, and Falale in large numbers.
"What followed was a wave of terror--gunshots, screams, and chaos. By the time the dust settled, at least 15 lives had been lost," he said.
Sources close to the repentant bandits insisted that the peace agreement in Jibia still stands but warned that actions capable of provoking armed groups could derail the hard-earned stability.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Katsina State, DSP Sadik Aliyu, and the state's Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Mu'azu, confirmed the incident
Mu'azu, in a statement, said security operatives, including personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and Civilian Watch (C-Watch), alongside community leaders, were immediately deployed to the area and successfully restored calm.
He noted that the swift and coordinated intervention prevented further loss of lives and helped stabilise the situation.
