Massive Crowd in Katsina as Over 3 Million Tijaniyya Faithful Attend 40th National Maulud

Millions of Tijaniyya followers from Nigeria and other African countries converged on Katsina State for the 40th National Maulud in honour of Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass. Held at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, the event filled the venue to capacity, spilling onto surrounding roads as worshippers arrived early. Religious leaders and government officials offered prayers for peace, unity and stability in Katsina and Nigeria. The gathering also boosted local businesses, with traders recording high sales as visitors flooded the city.

#KatsinaMaulud #Tijaniyya #NigeriaNews

Katsina Residents Under Fire: Bandits Attack Tuge Town Amid ‘Peace Agreements’

Two people were killed and several injured after bandits stormed Tuge town, Musawa LGA, Katsina State, around 7am, firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee. The attack exposes the fragility of peace deals previously brokered between local leaders and bandit groups. Security analysts warn that while agreements are useful, stronger protective measures are needed to shield vulnerable rural communities, as bandits still strike with impunity.

#KatsinaInsecurity #NigeriaNews #BanditAttack #MusawaLGA #PeaceDealFail #RuralSafety

Stop Negotiating With Bandits, Terrorists – Nigeria’s Defence Minister Warns States, Local Governments

Nigeria’s Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has warned state and local governments to stop negotiating or paying ransom to terrorists and bandits, describing such engagements as deceptive tactics that only embolden criminals. Speaking to BBC Hausa, Musa stressed that criminal groups never honor agreements, citing Katsina as an example. He urged citizens to report kidnappings instead of paying ransoms and called on states to address root causes of insecurity through education, jobs, and social development. Musa emphasized that cooperation between citizens and security agencies is key to ending insecurity nationwide.

Na wah oo! Just few days after Katsina govt talk say dem wan release 70 suspected bandits, another gbege don burst for Yar Tafki, Funtua LGA. Bandits attack community, kill people, abduct others, even after two peace deals dem don sign before. Security expert, Malam Bakatsine, confirm the attack. Katsina still dey hot for bandit wahala, rural areas dey suffer despite military and local peace moves. Govt letter show 48 suspects plus 22 more dey inside courts, dem wan release dem under peace accord. People dey fear say releasing bandits fit destroy law, deny justice, and ginger more crime. Meanwhile, govt talk say na to maintain peace, e say accord don already save about 1,000 kidnapped people.

Lawyer Ejiofor Drag Katsina Govt Over Release Of 70 Suspected Terrorists, Warn Say Na ‘Institutionalised Insecurity

Na wah oo! Human rights lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor don condemn Katsina State government for reportedly releasing 70 suspected bandits and terrorists under “peace accord.” Ejiofor yan say this kain move na dangerous policy wey fit scatter Naija stability, especially for North. E talk say to dey negotiate with armed gangs and dey give dem legitimacy na like to reward violence, and e go dey teach say blood and guns fit settle matter.

Ejiofor also drag Nigerian govt and security agencies, say dem dey silent, like dem dey tacitly support the release. E use am compare the wahala to DSS wey confirm say Mrs. Calista Ifedi die for detention without trial, alongside many Igbo youths wey dey held unlawfully. E yan say South-East leaders must rise, demand accountability, and prosecute guilty persons properly.

Ejiofor warn say if terror appeasement continue, Nigeria fit dey sit “on top keg of gunpowder,” as more areas fit dey ceded to jihadist terror. Na serious gbege oo!

Wahala Oo! Bandits Storm Maulud Gathering in Katsina Days After ‘Peace Deal,’ Residents Robbed, Shops Looted

Bandits on Saturday evening attacked a Maulud gathering in Yanshantuna, Dutsin-Ma LGA, Katsina, stealing cash and phones and looting a local shop — just days after a so-called peace deal.

Security expert Malam Bakatsine said residents are scared as there’s no proper security or enforcement, leaving them vulnerable.

A “SECRET” government letter shows plans to release dozens of bandit suspects from detention to satisfy the peace accord. Critics warn that without accountability, armed groups may continue their attacks, putting residents’ lives and livelihoods at risk.

Bandits in Kano and Katsina Force Farmers to Pay ₦50,000 Levy, Establish Parallel ‘Government’ in Forest Communities

Armed groups in Kano and Katsina states are reportedly imposing ₦50,000 per acre levies on farmers, primarily targeting sugarcane and maize growers, as they enforce a parallel governance system within the Rugu and Falgore Forest reserves. Farmers who refuse to comply face threats, destruction of crops, and the risk of violent attacks, forcing many to abandon their farmlands entirely.

The affected areas are part of the Kano–Katsina food belt, a key agricultural corridor supplying major markets such as Dawanau Market in Kano. Activists warn that ongoing disruptions could lead to food shortages and rising prices across northern Nigeria, raising serious concerns about regional food security.

Despite military and police checkpoints along key access roads, armed groups are operating within close proximity, highlighting potential gaps in security enforcement. Local residents report that the bandits are increasingly controlling daily economic activities, collecting levies, and imposing rules without resistance.

The situation has intensified calls for urgent intervention by state and federal security agencies to dismantle these parallel structures and safeguard the livelihoods of farmers, who are essential to the nation’s agricultural stability. As of reporting, no official response has been issued by the Kano or Katsina state governments or federal security authorities.

Bandits Kill Two, Loot Homes in Katsina Community Despite Peace Deal

Bandits attacked Kwatangiri community in Funtua LGA, Katsina State, on Thursday night, killing at least two residents and looting multiple homes, SaharaReporters has learned. The incident has left the community in fear, highlighting the vulnerability of rural areas even amid ongoing peace initiatives.

The attack raises questions about the effectiveness of a recent peace deal reportedly brokered between local officials and some bandit groups. Security expert Malam Bakatsine confirmed the attack, noting the sparse security presence in the region.

Earlier reports revealed controversy surrounding the Katsina State government’s attempt to secure the release of detained bandits as a condition for sustaining peace. A “SECRET” letter dated January 2, 2026, from the Ministry of Justice to the Chief Judge disclosed that 48 suspects facing various banditry-related charges had been proposed for release under the peace accord. Another list of 22 inmates awaiting High Court trials was also included.

The Ministry of Justice argued that these actions fall under the powers of the Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee as outlined in the Katsina State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2021. As of the report, no official statement had been issued by the Katsina State government or security agencies regarding the attack.

#KatsinaInsecurity #NigeriaNews #Banditry”

Terrorists Launch Coordinated Midnight Attacks in Katsina, Kill, Injure, and Kidnap Residents

Heavily armed terrorists have attacked multiple communities in Katsina State during a night assault, killing and injuring residents while abducting several others. The attacks targeted Unguwar Alhaji Barau, Gidan Dan Mai-gizo, and Gidan Hazo in Na’alma Ward, Malumfashi Local Government Area.

The incident follows a previous attack in Unguwar Daudu, Funtua LGA, where at least 20 people were kidnapped. Despite recent peace agreements, Katsina remains a hotspot of banditry and violent crimes, with local residents often facing kidnappings, killings, and displacement. Security agencies are yet to release official casualty figures or a statement on the incident.

Kano State Allocates ₦2 Billion for Generator Maintenance and Servicing in 2026 Budget Amid Nigeria’s Worsening Electricity Crisis

The Kano State Government has earmarked ₦2 billion in its 2026 budget for the servicing and maintenance of generating sets across government facilities, highlighting the state’s continued reliance on alternative power sources due to Nigeria’s unreliable electricity supply. The allocation was revealed in the 2026 appropriation document published on the Open States transparency platform owned by BudgIT and reviewed by SaharaReporters.

The spending plan comes despite recent efforts by Kano State, alongside Katsina and Jigawa states, to establish Nigeria’s first regional electricity market with an initial ₦50 billion funding commitment. Kano has also invested in independent power projects, including the 10-megawatt Tiga Hydro Power Plant, which is already producing electricity, and another six-megawatt project that was about 65 percent completed as of late 2024.

However, persistent national power challenges continue to undermine these initiatives. Nigeria’s electricity crisis deepened recently after the national grid collapsed, plunging power generation from over 2,000 megawatts to just 139.92MW within an hour and leaving most distribution companies without electricity supply. Kano was among several states that received zero allocation during the outage.

The ₦2 billion generator maintenance budget underscores the harsh reality facing many Nigerian states as they grapple with frequent grid failures and inadequate power infrastructure, mirroring similar spending patterns elsewhere, including Plateau State’s ₦400 million allocation in 2025 for the purchase of thousands of generators.

Terrorists Raid Katsina Community, Abduct 20 Residents in Night Attack on Unguwar Daudu Despite Ongoing Peace Deals

Terrorists have launched a deadly night raid on Unguwar Daudu community in Dukke Ward of Funtua Local Government Area, Katsina State, abducting no fewer than 20 residents and injuring two others. The attack occurred on Sunday night, January 4, 2026, when heavily armed assailants stormed the rural community, spreading fear and chaos among residents.

A Katsina-based security expert, Malam Bakatsine, confirmed the incident, noting that the attack happened despite multiple peace agreements recently brokered between local authorities and armed groups operating in the area. Funtua Local Government is among several parts of Katsina State that have witnessed persistent banditry, including kidnappings, killings, and mass displacement of residents.

The incident comes amid a surge of violent attacks across Katsina. SaharaReporters had earlier reported a separate assault on Naino village in Naalma Ward of Malumfashi Local Government Area, where bandits killed two people and injured six others during an early morning attack on January 1, 2026. Security sources said the attackers entered the village from the Musawa axis at about 6:30 a.m., firing sporadically and causing widespread panic.

Following the attacks, joint security forces were deployed to affected areas, with blockades established along suspected escape routes and cordon-and-search operations launched to track down the perpetrators. The injured victims from the Malumfashi attack were taken to Malumfashi General Hospital, where two were confirmed dead on arrival, while others are receiving treatment.

The renewed violence has heightened concerns over the effectiveness of peace deals and security measures in Katsina State, as communities continue to face repeated attacks despite assurances of improved security.

Jihadist Fulani Bandits Responsible for Over 70% of Violent Attacks on Nigerian Communities and Churches in 2025 – InterSociety Report Warns of Grave Threat to National Unity

A new report by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (InterSociety) has revealed that jihadist Fulani bandits and herdsmen were responsible for more than 70 per cent of violent attacks on Christian communities and places of worship across Nigeria in 2025. The civil rights group warned that the scale, coordination, and persistence of the violence pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s national unity, sovereignty, and constitutional secularism.

According to the report, mass killings and church destructions have been systematic and well-coordinated since June 2015, with Christian communities in the Middle Belt, North-East, Southern Kaduna, parts of Kebbi, Katsina, Ondo State, and Eha-Amufu in Enugu State bearing the brunt of the attacks. InterSociety accused successive Nigerian governments of presiding over what it described as an “ethno-religiously polarised state,” alleging that violence against Christians has intensified under official watch.

The organisation claimed that jihadist Fulani bandits and herdsmen have emerged as the most widespread and deadly terror groups in Nigeria, allegedly carrying out attacks framed around “convert to Islam or die” campaigns. It further alleged that controversial government policies such as RUGA settlements, grazing reserves, and ranching initiatives indirectly enabled armed herders to settle among indigenous Christian populations.

InterSociety also raised concerns over forest security, questioning how armed groups gained access to detailed forest location data after a reported 2015 forest-mapping exercise by the Nigerian Army. Despite the grim findings, the group said international pressure helped save at least 600 Christian lives and dozens of churches in 2025, crediting advocacy on religious freedom and diplomatic interventions.

The report singled out U.S. President Donald Trump for what it described as interventions that helped avert further attacks during the Christmas and New Year period, while also praising the United States and Canada for their roles in defending religious freedom in Nigeria. At the same time, InterSociety criticised the silence of some Nigerian Christian political leaders and called for urgent domestic and international action to prevent further destabilisation of Africa’s most populous nation.

Nigerian Troops Kill Three Bandits in Fierce Gun Battle in Katsina Community, Arrest One Suspect and Recover Weapons, Motorcycles

Nigerian security forces have killed three suspected bandits during a gun battle in Karaduwa village, Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, as part of ongoing operations to combat banditry in the North-West. According to reports shared on social media, troops engaged criminal elements operating in the community, resulting in the deaths of three bandits, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

During the operation, security operatives arrested one suspect alive and recovered weapons from the scene, along with eight motorcycles believed to have been used by the bandits for attacks and mobility. The encounter underscores continued efforts by the military and other security agencies to dismantle bandit networks, curb violent attacks, and restore peace in Katsina State, which has faced persistent security challenges in recent years.

Bandits Kill 2, Injure 6 in Katsina Village Attack

Bandits attacked Naino village in Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State, on the morning of January 1, killing two residents, Kamala Lawal and Tijjani Umaru, and injuring six others. The attackers entered from Musawa, firing sporadically and causing panic. Victims were taken to Malumfashi General Hospital, where the deceased were pronounced dead on arrival.

Security forces responded immediately, setting up blockades, conducting cordon-and-search operations, and reinforcing security in the area. Investigations are ongoing as the attack adds to a series of bandit assaults affecting rural communities in Katsina State.

Bandits Attack Katsina Community on New Year Day, Kill Three Residents Despite Reported Peace Deal, Raising Fresh Security Concerns in Northwest Nigeria

Suspected bandits launched a deadly early-morning attack on Unguwar Naino community in Na’alma ward of Malumfashi Local Government Area, Katsina State, on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026, killing at least three residents and injuring several others. The assault occurred barely days after a reported peace agreement in the area, shattering hopes of an end to recurring violence.

Local sources said the attackers stormed the community at dawn, firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee their homes in panic. The injured were rushed to nearby health facilities for treatment, while fear spread across surrounding villages. The attack was first reported publicly by Katsina-based social media commentator @DanKatsna50, who questioned the effectiveness of peace deals without sustained security presence and intelligence-led operations.

Katsina State remains one of the epicentres of banditry in Nigeria’s northwest, with rural communities frequently targeted despite repeated negotiations and peace initiatives with armed groups. The latest incident has reignited public debate over the viability of peace agreements in the absence of consistent security operations and long-term strategies to protect vulnerable communities.

Efforts by SaharaReporters to obtain a response from the Katsina State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, neither answered calls nor responded to messages seeking official reaction to the attack.

Bandits Attack Katsina Community On New Year Day, Kill Three Residents Despite 'Peace Deal'
Local sources said the attackers stormed the community at dawn on January 1, 2026, shooting sporadically and leaving residents in panic.

BREAKING: On Wednesday, 24 Dec 2025, a violent clash erupted between two notorious armed group leaders in the Batsari axis: Namurjiya, younger brother of the late Sani Dangote and Lamo, deep inside forested areas bordering Katsina and Zamfara states.

The fighting reportedly stemmed from a killing carried out by Namurjiya two weeks ago. He allegedly murdered Abdulrahman, Lamo’s younger brother, at Shingi Tsohuwa in Ruma ward of Batsari LGA, Katsina State. Namurjiya had also been accused of repeatedly rustling cattle belonging to Fulani communities who had earlier accepted local peace agreements in Batsari and Jibia LGAs of Katsina State.

Residents say the confrontation began after Isha (night) prayers and lasted for hours, with heavy gunfire spreading fear across nearby villages. Casualties included civilians, among them women and children. Lamo’s faction reportedly seized weapons and motorcycles, while Namurjiya fled amid conflicting reports some claim he was killed, others say he escaped wounded. Inter-factional clashes among armed groups remain frequent in the region, echoing past deadly feuds such as the Gwaska Danƙarami–Sani Dangote conflict.

With repeated breakdowns of local peace accords, rival armed leaders settling scores in forests, and civilians paying the heaviest price, what realistic options remain for ending the cycle of retaliation in northwest Nigeria — tougher military action, renewed dialogue, or a completely different security approach?

US Attack in Sokoto: Resident Accuses Trump of Targeting Innocent Civilians in Alleged ISIS Airstrike, Questions Terror Claims

A Sokoto resident, Jamilu Umar Jabbi, has strongly condemned the recent United States airstrike on alleged ISIS bases in Sokoto State, ordered by former US President Donald Trump. Speaking via a Facebook post, Jabbi questioned the existence of ISIS in Sokoto and accused the US of targeting innocent civilians rather than terrorists. He argued that areas with documented terrorist activities, such as Zamfara, Katsina, and parts of eastern Sokoto, were ignored, while Jabo—an area he claims has no history of terrorism—was struck at night.
Jabbi further alleged that the attack reflects injustice and a hidden agenda against Muslims, calling on Nigerian leaders to speak out and urging divine intervention. His comments have sparked mixed reactions online, with some supporting the US action as a counterterrorism effort and others insisting that innocent lives were lost. The incident continues to fuel national debate over the legitimacy, intelligence basis, and humanitarian impact of the reported US airstrikes in northern Nigeria.

Police arrest bandit seen flaunting firearms in viral video, recover AK-47, cash

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a significant operational breakthrough with the arrest of two notorious bandits and kidnapping kingpins responsible for violent crimes across Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kwara States.

A sttement from the force spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said on Friday, December 19, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT), attached to Kwara State, in a covert operation carried out in collaboration with operatives of the Kwara State Police Command, intercepted and arrested two members of the dangerous banditry and k!dnapping gang along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Hundeyin gave the names of the suspects as Abubakar Usman, alias Siddi ‘m’ aged 26 and Shehu Mohammadu, alias Gide ‘m’ aged 30. He mentioned that both suspects were arrested in Komen–Masallaci village, Kaiama LGA of Kwara State at the time of arrest.

Items recovered from the suspects incude one brand new Honda Ace 125 motorcycle, red in colour, valued at N1,850,000.00, which investigations revealed was purchased with proceeds of ransom payments; N500,000.00 cash, being unspent ransom money; one AK-47 rifle with a magazine loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are members of a notorious banditry and kidnapping gang terrorising communities across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger and Kwara States. Further findings indicate that the gang also doubles as suppliers of arms and ammunition to criminal elements.

Both suspects are currently cooperating with investigators to enable the arrest of other members of the syndicate and recovery of additional weapons.””the statement read

Hundeyin mentioned that one of the suspects, Abubakar Usman (alias Siddi), was recently identified as the individual seen in a viral video flaunting firearms and large sums of money on social media.

KANO POLICE COMMAND ARRESTS FIVE SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS, CATTLE RUSTLERS IN INTELLIGENCE-LED OPERATIONS

The Kano State Police Command has recorded significant successes in its efforts to combat kidnapping and cattle rustling in the state as the Command's Anti-Kidnapping Squad and other units arrest five suspects in Kiru, and Tsanyawa LGAs.

A statement by the Command's Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa says acting on intelligence reports, a team of Police Operatives attached to the Command's Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) on the direction of the Commissioner of Police, cordoned off Rahma Round in Kiru LGA, Kano State and arrested four suspects.

The suspects include Shafiu Ibrahim, 25 years old, of Auchanawa Village, Ikara LGA, Kaduna State.

The statement reveals that Shafiu confessed to belonging to a gang of kidnappers and involvement in a series of cattle rustling.

A TVS Motorcycle was recovered from him. The other three suspects are under investigation for other various felonious offences.

In a related operation, a combined team from Dragon Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Squad, and Tsanyawa Police Division, arrested Bishir Umar, 24 years old, of Karaduwa LGA, Katsina State, at Mahuta Village, Tsanyawa LGA, Kano State.

Bishir confessed that he and accomplices stormed Kano on two motorcycles with a rifle and was arrested while on surveillance, and others escaped with the motorcycles and rifle.

All suspects will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.