Katsina Community Empties as Bandits Send Over 3,000 Residents Fleeing

Fear has taken over Unguwar Guru community in Katsina State, with more than 3,000 residents forced to abandon their homes following a fresh wave of deadly bandit attacks.

The community, located in Sukuntuni Ward of Kankia Local Government Area, has reportedly been deserted after attacks on Saturday and Monday left 13 people dead, while several women and girls were abducted.

The displaced residents have been seeking shelter in nearby Rimaye community, where some are staying in a primary school, uncompleted buildings and the homes of relatives.

Many say they fled with virtually nothing and have spent more than nine days struggling to survive without meaningful assistance from government authorities.

Residents Plead for Urgent Help

Muhammadu Lurwanu, a resident of Unguwar Guru, said virtually everyone had fled the community because of the worsening security situation.

He said more than 3,000 residents were now scattered across different locations, with some sleeping in unfinished buildings and others relying on relatives for shelter.

The displaced residents are appealing to the Katsina State Government and the Federal Government to urgently provide food, clothing, water and other essential relief materials.

Yahaya Matsiga, another resident, described their condition as desperate, saying some displaced families had gone without food.

Houses Burnt as Families Search for Missing Relatives

The attacks reportedly resulted in the destruction of homes and the separation of families.

Muhammadu Sagiru, one of the affected residents, said the violence had left many people traumatised and several others injured.

He said about eight people were killed during the attacks in his account, while at least five others sustained injuries, including himself.

According to Sagiru, some victims were buried under difficult circumstances because residents lacked the resources and materials required for proper burial arrangements.

He added that some families were still unable to account for their relatives.

Farmers Fear Losing Their Crops

Beyond the immediate threat to their lives, residents are also worried about the fate of their farm produce left behind in Unguwar Guru.

Hashimu Isa alleged that the attackers were still around the community and appealed for security personnel to escort residents who need to return temporarily to evacuate their crops.

“Our farm produce is still there,” he said, stressing that farmers risk losing everything they worked for if they cannot safely return.

Displaced Families Face Sanitation Crisis

The growing number of displaced people sheltering at the primary school in Rimaye has created additional humanitarian challenges.

Residents said they urgently need food, clothing, clean water and adequate toilet facilities.

They warned that poor sanitation and overcrowding could expose children, elderly people and other vulnerable residents to disease outbreaks.

Despite being away from their homes for more than nine days, the residents said they had not received substantial assistance from government authorities.

Katsina Government Awaits Report

The Katsina State Government said it was awaiting an official report from local authorities before taking further action.

Sa’idu Ibrahim Danja, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dikko Umar Radda on Banditry, said the government had yet to receive a detailed report from the affected area or Kankia Local Government.

He acknowledged the hardship faced by the displaced residents and commended neighbouring communities for opening their doors to those fleeing the attacks.

The Chairman of Kankia Local Government Council, Alhaji Salisu Gizy, did not respond to repeated calls and text messages seeking his reaction.

For the thousands of residents driven from Unguwar Guru, the crisis is now more than a security emergency. It has become a growing humanitarian crisis, with families desperate for safety, food, shelter and the chance to return home.