ARMED bandits reportedly killed at least five members of the Katsina State local community security operatives on Saturday, setting their van ablaze in Maharba village, Matazu Local Government Area.
Eyewitnesses said the attack occurred when the security personnel responded to a distress call about the presence of armed bandits in the area.
The assailants, numbering around 20 and riding motorcycles, ambushed the security team near a riverbank close to the village. Concealed among trees, they opened fire and set ablaze the Hilux van conveying the security operatives, killing all five onboard.
Among the deceased was the unit commander, Mallam Sanusi, who oversaw operations in Kusada, Kankia, and parts of Charanchi Local Government Areas.
In response, Governor Dikko Radda led a high-level delegation of security officials to the attack site for an on-the-spot assessment.
The delegation included the State Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasiru Muazu; the State Commissioner of Police; the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS); and the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abdulkadir Nasir, among others. They were received by Matazu Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Shamsudeen Sayaya.
Governor Radda inspected the scene, where the burnt vehicle remained visible, and visited nearby hard-to-reach areas to engage with locals and better understand the prevailing security challenges.
Speaking after the visit, Radda reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working closely with security agencies and community leaders to enhance safety and protect lives and property.
“The sacrifice of these brave men will not be in vain,” Radda said, pledging to intensify efforts to restore peace across the state.
Earlier, Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu, acknowledged the challenges while highlighting ongoing military successes, particularly in Ruwan Godiya.
He noted that the governor’s visit formed part of a broader security review aimed at strengthening the protection of lives and property in the state.
He urged residents to remain patient, prayerful, and supportive of the government’s peace efforts.
Governor Radda also extended condolences to the families of the victims, praying for divine mercy on the deceased and strength for their loved ones.
The attack highlights the persistent security threats in Katsina’s rural communities, where banditry remains a significant concern despite ongoing efforts by security forces to curb the menace.