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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

Terrorists Kill FRSC Officer, Brother of House of Reps Member in Katsina Amid Peace Talks

Ibrahim Dalhatu Tafoki, a Federal Road Safety Corps officer and younger brother of Rt. Hon. Shehu Dalhatu Tafoki, a House of Representatives member, was killed by armed assailants along the Funtua–Tafoki road in Faskari LGA, Katsina State. The attack occurred on Tuesday evening while Tafoki was riding a motorcycle, and the attackers stole his motorcycle. The incident raises serious concerns about the fragility of ongoing peace and reconciliation efforts with bandit groups in the region, highlighting the persistent security challenges in Nigeria’s North-West. Authorities have yet to release an official statement.

#Katsina #NigeriaSecurity #FRSCOfficerKilled #Banditry #NorthWestNigeria #PeaceTalks #NigeriaNews #HouseOfReps

Tinubu Government Declares Kogo Forest Reserve in Katsina as Nigeria’s Newest National Park

The Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu has officially designated the Kogo Forest Reserve in Katsina State as Nigeria’s newest national park. Announced by the Ministry of Environment, the move is part of the administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” to advance environmental protection and sustainable development. The reserve was formally handed over to the National Park Service by Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda. The government has deployed vehicles, equipment, and modern conservation technologies to ensure effective management, aiming to strengthen biodiversity conservation, preserve Nigeria’s natural heritage, and promote climate resilience.

Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika Narrowly Escapes Mob Attack During Condolence Visit to Katsina Palace

Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, on Tuesday narrowly escaped a mob attack during a condolence visit to the palace of the District Head of Dutsi in Katsina State. Videos circulating online showed chaotic scenes as an angry crowd gathered within and around the palace, with tensions escalating rapidly. In the footage, an individual was seen being forcibly dragged out before security aides intervened and hurriedly evacuated him in a vehicle to prevent mob violence. SaharaReporters gathered that swift action by aides and security operatives prevented what could have become a violent assault on Sirika, who also holds the traditional title of Marusan Katsina and serves as district head of Shargalle. The cause of the crowd’s anger remains unclear as authorities have yet to issue an official explanation.

BREAKING: Yesterday night around 10PM, armed men struck Rijiyar Tsamiya in Sandamu LGA, Katsina State, firing gunshots and looting shops money & phones. The incident is it first of it kind in Daura Emirate in the whole 2025.

Is this evidence of a broader escalation that demands urgent security recalibration?

ALERT: Yesterday night, bandits stormed Unguwar Gambo & Gawo communities in Yaba ward, Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State. They killed & injured several residents, abducted some people and also rustled a large number of livestock during the attack. This happened despite multiple peace agreements previously reached between the bandits and local leaders.

Given these events, what is the real purpose of these peace deals if they fail to prevent such attacks?

BREAKING NEWS: Katsina State Government has introduced a N30,000 monthly allowance for teachers deployed to rural communities across the state.

BREAKING: Yesterday evening, armed bandits shot Isiya Tako of Lamido community, three times after he reportedly refused to surrender his phone to them, believing a prior peace deal with the group leader (Isiya Kwashen Garwa) offered some protection. He’s now receiving treatment in Funtua General Hospital and may be transferred to Katsina Teaching Hospital today for further care.

Community leaders say the attack violates the informal peace agreement in Bakori LGA, Katsina State.

Given the reported breach of agreement, what mechanisms if any now verify the effectiveness of the current peace deal in Bakori LGA?

Governor Radda Accuses Opposition of Undermining Peace Efforts in Katsina

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has accused opposition figures of deliberately working against the state’s improving security situation in order to portray his APC-led administration as a failure. Speaking during his tour of Danmusa Local Government, Radda said bandit-hit communities are now witnessing the return of farming and normal socio-economic activities. He claimed critics, including Dr. Mustapha Inuwa and ex-Senator Ahmed Babba Kaita, were exploiting insecurity for political gain ahead of 2027. The governor insisted his government will not be distracted by “celebrants of killings,” and urged residents to remain law-abiding and committed to sustaining peace.