At least four residents and four suspected bandits were killed on Tuesday after armed attackers invaded Dansarai, a farming community in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Residents said the bandits stormed the community on motorcycles, armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, and opened fire indiscriminately, killing four villagers.
“They were shooting sporadically as they entered the village. Four of our people were killed instantly,” an eyewitness said.
In response, residents, supported by local vigilantes, mobilised and confronted the attackers, killing four of the suspected bandits and forcing the remaining assailants to flee.
“Our people stood up to defend themselves. In the confrontation, four of the bandits were neutralised, and the rest escaped,” another resident said, adding that the attackers abandoned plans to rustle livestock and loot homes and shops.
The attack also left eight residents with varying degrees of injuries. Community sources said the victims were taken to nearby health facilities, where they are receiving treatment.
“Some sustained gunshot wounds, while others were injured during the chaos, but they are responding to treatment,” a source said.
Residents alleged that repeated distress calls were made to security agencies during the attack, but no security personnel arrived before the assailants fled.
“We kept calling for help, but nobody came. We were left to face the situation on our own,” a community leader said.
Following the incident, residents of Dansarai and neighbouring communities appealed to the federal and Katsina State governments to strengthen security in the eastern axis of Malumfashi Local Government Area, describing the area as increasingly vulnerable to bandit attacks.
“This area has become a soft target for bandits. We need a permanent security presence to protect our lives and livelihoods,” another resident appealed.
The eastern part of Malumfashi Local Government Area is among the areas most affected by banditry in Katsina State’s Funtua zone.
When contacted, the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Aliyu, said he would verify the incident and respond. However, no official confirmation had been issued as of the time of filing this report.
