By ZUBAIRU IDRIS

Suspected bandits have attacked Doma community under Tafoki Ward in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State and killed about 20 persons in broad daylight on Tuesday.

Reports from the area revealed that the bandits invaded the place in the afternoon and remained there perpetrating their nefarious act until around after 4p.m., when they withdrew.

Eye witnesses, who preferred anonymity said that the bandits also set ablaze a number of houses in the area.

This is happening in spite of the peace.deal reached between the bandits and the local community.

The Chairman of the area, Alhaji Surajo Aliyu-Daudawa, confirmed the incident and described it as a reprisal attack.

Daudawa said the attack was the most devastating in the last five months.

According to him, the corpses were evacuated and their funeral rites would be conducted in Tafoki town on Wednesday morning.

He condoled with the community over the incident, and prayed Allah to avert future occurrence.

The Police Command in the state said that 13 people were killed by the assailants during the attack, according to its spokesperson, DSP Aliyu Abubakar, in a statement on Tuesday.

He said: “On Feb. 3, 2026, at about 1400 hours, a distress call was received at Faskari Division that some suspected bandits, armed with dangerous weapons and shooting sporadically, attacked Doma village, Faskari LGA, Katsina State.

“Upon receipt of the report, quickly, the DPO mobilised operatives, in collaboration with the military, and members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC) responded to the scene.

“Unfortunately, the assailants have fatally shot 13 persons and escaped the scene before the arrival of the operatives.” (NAN)