Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda visited Maharba village in Danmusa Local Government Area, following a devastating bandit ambush that claimed the lives of at least 15 residents and injured several others.
The attack, which occurred in early May, saw heavily armed bandits storm the village, targeting farmers and traders in a coordinated assault. The assailants looted homes, rustled livestock, and set fire to properties, exacerbating the insecurity that has plagued Katsina, one of Nigeria’s worst-affected states for banditry. The incident drew national attention, highlighting the persistent challenge of armed violence in the North-West.
During his visit, Governor Radda expressed condolences to the victims’ families and promised enhanced security measures, including the deployment of additional vigilante groups and collaboration with federal forces. He announced a ₦50 million relief package for affected families, covering medical treatment for the injured and support for rebuilding homes. Radda also called for community-driven intelligence gathering to curb banditry, urging residents to report suspicious activities. The visit was part of a broader effort to restore confidence in the state’s security apparatus, which has faced criticism for its inability to prevent recurrent attacks.
The ambush has reignited calls for a reevaluation of Nigeria’s security strategy, with analysts pointing to the need for better-equipped forces, improved border control, and socioeconomic interventions to address root causes like poverty and unemployment. Residents of Maharba have demanded permanent security outposts, citing the village’s proximity to forests used as bandit hideouts. Radda’s administration has vowed to intensify efforts through the Katsina Community Watch Corps, but skepticism remains among locals, who fear retaliation from bandits. The tragedy underscores the broader crisis in northern Nigeria, where banditry has displaced thousands and disrupted agriculture, threatening food security.