Survivors of an attack on a mosque in Katsina State said they were attacked in the early hours of Tuesday while observing the Subhi (morning) prayers.

Members of the Gidan Mantau community, which is less than 10 kilometres from Malumfashi town of Katsina State, who spoke to Daily Trust yesterday, said about 23 people died in the incident, but the state government said 13 worshippers were killed. It was also gathered that many others sustained varying degrees of injuries following the attack. The incident occurred just a day after Governor Dikko Radda began a three-week medical leave, transferring power to his deputy, Mallam Faruk Lawal.

This attack also comes 18 months after a similar assault on worshippers observing Isha (night) prayers in Yargoje village, Kankara LGA, within the same state.

Sources quoted the survivors of the latest attack as saying that the incident happened around 5 a.m., shortly after they started their Subhi prayers.

“They heard the sound of a gunshot while praying. They (the attackers) killed some people and injured others,” one of the sources said.

It was gathered that the attackers were on a reprisal mission after the community’s members had successfully ambushed them, killing many and seizing their weapons and operational motorcycles. A resident, who requested anonymity, said the number of casualties could be higher, as many were taken to the hospital in critical condition.

“The number of those who died has risen to 27 from what we heard regarding those taken to the hospital,” the source said.

Confirming the incident, Dr. Nasir Muazu, the state commissioner for internal security and home affairs, said it was a retaliatory attack. “The Muslim members of the community were praying in the mosque during the Fajr prayer when the criminal elements started shooting sporadically,” he said. The commissioner added that the state government immediately sent security reinforcements and support measures to the affected community.

“The attack was in retaliation for the community’s successful defence efforts two days earlier,” Muazu stated. “The people of Gidan Mantau decided to lay an ambush against the bandits and killed many of them. They rescued victims taken from Ruwan Sanyi village, seized three motorcycles, and two AK-47s.” He also mentioned that security agencies have been deployed to the area and are working to bring the bandits to justice, particularly during this rainy season when they hide in farmlands to perpetrate their acts.

“As a government, we salute the gallant disposition of the people of Unguwar Mantau, and we are committed to fighting these bandits and ensuring safety across our communities. The state government extends heartfelt condolences to the families affected and reaffirms its unwavering support for community-based security initiatives while working to eliminate criminal elements from the region,” he said.

There are growing concerns over the resurgence of bandit attacks in various local government areas, especially during the farming season. This is despite some LGAs, including Jibia, Batsari, Danmusa, and Safana, having entered into peace deals with bandits. However, Malumfashi is not one of these LGAs; it is among the local governments under attacks in the southern part of the state.

Katsina acting governor seeks FG’s intervention

Meanwhile, the acting Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Faruk Lawal Jobe, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, intervene and provide comprehensive security support to protect the people of Katsina State from escalating attacks on local communities. He emphasised the critical need for immediate presidential action to end the persistent threats facing innocent citizens.

“We respectfully request the president to give matching orders to all security agencies to bring a decisive end to these unprovoked attacks on peaceful communities. The people of Katsina State deserve to live in safety and pursue their livelihoods without fear,” he said.

Mallam Jobe added, “Our farmers, traders, and families should not have to live in constant fear. We need our president’s direct intervention to mobilise all necessary resources and provide the security architecture our state requires”.

While calling for enhanced support, the acting governor expressed gratitude to security agencies currently operating in the state. The state government assured citizens of its continued commitment to working with federal authorities and security agencies to restore lasting peace and stability.

Protest in Malumfashi

In the aftermath of the killings at Gidan Mantau, residents of Malumfashi, which is the headquarters of the local government area, took to the street in protest.

They called on the federal government to come to their aid.

A resident of the town, who gave his name as Malam Bala, said they were frustrated.

“It is very sad to see your people being killed,” he said.

“The essence of the government is to protect life and property of the people,” he said.

Another resident of Malumfashi said it took the intervention of the police to calm the people.

“Our youths set bonfires on the road and obstructed free flow of traffic in order to vent their anger,” he said.

“In some places, the police had to use teargas to force them away from the road,” he said.

Residents of Marabar Kankara block highway to protest against attacks in the area

Experts weigh in

Abdullahi Garba, a security expert, called on the federal government to find a lasting solution to the porous borders in the North West, arguing that most criminals penetrate Nigeria through “unrecognised routes.”

According to him, “We need to address issues of porous borders in the North, particularly in Katsina, Sokoto, Borno, Adamawa, and other places that share borders with other countries,” he told our correspondent. He suggested a clear demarcation of territories, possibly with walls like some countries have, and using technology to man entry and exit points.

“Solving porous border matters will go a long way,” he concluded.

The Nigeria-Niger border is 1,608 kilometres (999 miles) in length and runs from the tripoint with Benin in the west to the tripoint with Chad in the east.

It is the second-longest Border between Nigeria and any country.

Also, seven Nigerian states, including Borno, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto all shared boundary with the Niger Republic.

However, apart from a handful of manned borders, the large swathe of the area is at the mercy of criminals who crisscross between Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Libya and Central African Republic.

They also transport cache of arms with ease, using donkeys, camels and rugged vehicles.

Another security expert explained that Nigeria must reclaim abandoned border communities, saying the proposal to build long walls is a misnomer.

“If the government takes non-kinetic approaches seriously, building facilities like schools and health centres would go a long way in solving the problem,” he said.

He also urged the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) to address the unique challenges and needs of communities situated along Nigeria’s borders.

These communities, according to him often face neglect, underdevelopment, and vulnerability to cross-border issues like insecurity and illicit trade.

“I know that the BCDA aims to foster sustainable social, economic, and infrastructural development in these areas, improving living conditions and promoting national integration. And in return, the people in such communities would have a sense of belonging and would guide the territorial integrity of Nigeria jealously.

“The truth is that when you neglect such people, they feel detached and disinterested in exposing criminals,” he said.

Patrick Agbambu, a security analyst, attributed the worsening insecurity across Nigeria to the collapse of local government administration and political interference in security matters. Speaking against the backdrop of recent killings in several states, he described the situation as “sad,” noting that rural communities are left vulnerable due to the absence of functional governance at the grassroots.

“It’s a sad situation when any citizen or any part of the country is under attack. Unfortunately, most of these security breaches happen in rural communities,” Agbambu said. He also warned that the growing distrust in state institutions is pushing citizens towards self-help, which further complicates the situation.

On calls by some state governments for the withdrawal of the military from crisis-prone areas, Agbambu disagreed, insisting that the police alone cannot handle the current situation. “The constitution empowers the police for internal security, but it also allows the military to intervene when the police are overwhelmed,” he said. He argued that poor infrastructure and weak policing structures make rapid response almost impossible in rural conflict zones.

“A journey that should take 20 minutes can take one and a half hours because the roads are terrible. How do you expect security forces to respond quickly in such terrain?”

He also dismissed recent peace accords with bandits as “politically motivated” and counterproductive. “To me, it’s laughable. One group surrenders, another intensifies attacks, and they are later given the same privileges. It becomes a business for them,” he said, adding that negotiations must come from a position of strength, not weakness.

To move forward, Agbambu urged the federal government to revive functional local government systems with empowered security councils that include traditional rulers and community leaders.

“These councils will collect intelligence and respond quickly before escalating to the state or federal level,” he said. “We can’t continue treating criminals with kid gloves. Government must show real presence in communities so people can trust and cooperate with security agencies.

“It’s a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach we need if we must get our security right,” he added.

Recent attacks on worshippers

On Sunday, August 10, armed men attacked a mosque in Sokoto State during morning prayers, killing one worshipper and abducting several others. The assailants, wielding what witnesses described as sophisticated weapons, stormed Marnona village in the Wurno Local Government Area at dawn, opening fire indiscriminately and sending worshippers fleeing in panic.

“They targeted innocent people in a sacred place – it is barbaric and cowardly,” said Isah Achida, the Sokoto State chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress. Security sources believe the attackers may have come from forest camps straddling Sokoto and neighboring Zamfara State. Police spokesperson DSP Ahmed Rufai confirmed an investigation was underway.

Similarly, on Tuesday, July 1, at least 15 Muslims were killed during congregational prayers in Sokoto State in a coordinated attack by suspected members of the Lakurawa group. The assailants stormed Kwalajiya village in Tangaza Local Government Area around 2:00 p.m. and opened fire on worshippers during the Zuhr (afternoon) prayer.

“We were in the mosque when they invaded in large numbers,” said a local. “They opened fire indiscriminately, targeting both worshippers and villagers working on their farms.” Sources suggest the attack may have been triggered by the death of three Lakurawa members during a previous failed assault on the community, or by the community leader’s warning against marrying members of the group. The attackers also burned farmlands, torched homes, and destroyed the community’s telecoms mast.

“They didn’t harm the women but killed our men and destroyed all food items and shops,” a resident added. The Sokoto Police Command confirmed the attack, but local sources said 15 people were buried, with seven others hospitalized.

Eighteen months ago, armed assailants unleashed terror across Katsina State for two days, attacking a mosque and homes, leaving a trail of death and abductions. The most devastating incident occurred during Ishai prayer in Yargoje village, Kankara Local Government Area. A witness who narrowly escaped the attack recounted, “They just walked in and started shooting. The attack claimed the lives of three individuals and left four others injured. The gunmen also abducted a man and two women from the village”. (Daily Trust)