Residents of Dansarai community in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State fought back against heavily armed bandits on Tuesday, killing four of the attackers and forcing others to flee after the assailants allegedly killed four villagers during a deadly invasion.
Residents told Daily Trust that the bandits stormed the farming community on motorcycles, armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, and began shooting indiscriminately as they entered the village.
“They were shooting sporadically as they entered the village. Four of our people were killed instantly,” an eyewitness said.
The killings reportedly sparked fierce resistance from residents, who, alongside local vigilantes, confronted the attackers in a gun battle.
According to another resident, the villagers succeeded in repelling the assault, killing four of the bandits and frustrating what was believed to be a planned operation to rustle livestock and loot homes and shops.
“Our people stood up to defend themselves. In the confrontation, four of the bandits were neutralised, and the rest were forced to flee,” the resident said.
“They also abandoned their plan to rustle livestock and loot shops and homes.”
The attack also left eight residents injured. Community sources said the victims, some of whom sustained gunshot wounds, were rushed to nearby hospitals where they are receiving treatment.
“Some sustained gunshot wounds, while others were injured in the chaos, but they are responding to treatment,” a source disclosed.
Residents, however, accused security agencies of failing to respond despite repeated distress calls made during the attack.
“We kept calling for help, but nobody came. We were left to face the situation on our own,” a community leader lamented.
Following the incident, residents of Dansarai and neighbouring communities appealed to the federal and state governments to strengthen security presence across the eastern axis of Malumfashi, which they described as increasingly exposed to recurring 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 said.
The eastern part of Malumfashi Local Government Area remains one of the communities most affected by banditry in Katsina State’s Funtua zone.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, Sadiq Aliyu, said he would verify the incident. However, no official confirmation had been issued as of the time of filing this report.
