Hopes that recent peace arrangements would ease insecurity were shattered as armed bandits launched another violent operation, abducting no fewer than 20 residents of Unguwar Daudu community in Dukke Ward, Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State.
It was gathered that the armed men stormed the village at night after residents had retired for the day, shooting indiscriminately to instil fear among the helpless villagers.
The attackers, said to be large in number, invaded the community without any resistance from security agencies before carrying out the operation, which led to the displacement of several residents who managed to flee the area.
According to eyewitness accounts, two residents sustained gunshot injuries during the invasion and were later taken to nearby health facilities for medical attention, while the whereabouts and condition of the abducted victims remain unknown.
The incident was disclosed on Monday by a security analyst, Bakatsine, who tracks insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West. He noted that the attack occurred despite several peace deals reportedly brokered between local authorities and armed groups in Katsina State.
“This attack again exposes the gaps in the agreements reached so far and raises questions about why communities remain vulnerable,” Bakatsine said, stressing that similar incidents have continued despite assurances of calm.
A resident of the affected community, who spoke via a phone call, expressed disappointment over the renewed violence, saying expectations had been high that the peace process would restore normalcy.
“We were told the situation had improved, but this incident shows that our fears are still valid,” the resident said.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Katsina State Government nor security agencies had issued an official statement on the abduction.
